Dangerous Liaisons · Character

Count Gercourt

Cecilia's intended husband, a military man and former lover of Merteuil.

minor

Also known as Gercourt, Count de Gercourt, M. de Gercourt

First appearance: Letter 2: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount Valmont, at the Castle of ⸻

Count Gercourt's tie to Marchioness de Merteuil is one of the pressures that moves Dangerous Liaisons—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

The intended husband of Cecilia Volanges; Merteuil targets him for revenge due to past grievances and his foolish prejudices about convent education and fair complexions.

In the storyLetter 2: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount Valmont, at the Castle of ⸻Open this moment free

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With Marchioness de Merteuil (rivalry): Gercourt is Merteuil's former lover and target of her revenge for his perceived slight against her. With Chevalier Danceny (rivalry): Danceny becomes Gercourt's rival for…

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See Count Gercourt in Letter 2: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount Valmont, at the Castle of ⸻

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Count Gercourt sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Social
Other

Character groups

Young lovers and rivals
Protagonist

+3 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because Valmont reaches the peak of his sadistic triumph—the "brilliant éclat" of…

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Relationships

Marchioness de Merteuil
rivalry · negative
Gercourt is Merteuil's former lover and target of her revenge for his perceived slight… How this plays out →
Chevalier Danceny
rivalry · negative
Sophia Carnay
social · ambivalent
Viscount de Valmont
rivalry · negative

Marchioness de Merteuil
Gercourt is Merteuil's former lover and target of her revenge for his perceived slight against her.
Chevalier Danceny
Danceny becomes Gercourt's rival for Cecilia's hand, with Gercourt being her arranged fiancé.
Sophia Carnay
Acquaintances within the same social circle, with no deep personal connection.
Viscount de Valmont
Rivals in love and social standing, with Valmont actively working to cuckold Gercourt.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Count Gercourt in Letter 2: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount Valmont, at the Castle of ⸻

In the story

Count Gercourt appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Letter 2: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount Valmont, at the Castle of ⸻
The intended husband of Cecilia Volanges; Merteuil targets him for revenge due to past grievances and his foolish prejudices about convent education and fair complexions.
Letter 8: Presidente de Tourvel to Madame de Volanges
Mentioned as the chosen husband for Cecilia, though Tourvel does not know him personally.
Letter 9: Madame de Volanges to the Presidente de Tourvel
His regiment is ordered to Corsica, delaying his marriage to Cecilia.
Letter 20: The Marchioness de Merteuil to Viscount Valmont
Target of Merteuil's revenge; she intends to give him a corrupted wife instead of an innocent one.
Letter 38: The Marchioness de Merteuil to Viscount Valmont
Cecilia's intended husband; Merteuil is determined to ensure he does not escape her revenge and is painting him in a negative light to Cecilia.
Letter 39: Cecilia Volanges to Sophia Carnay
The intended husband, described as old (36), morose, and ill-tempered; currently in Corsica.
Letter 55: Cecilia Volanges to Sophia Carnay
Mentioned as Cecilia's future husband, whom she fears will be disagreeable.
Letter 63: Marchioness de Merteuil to Viscount de Valmont
Ultimate target of Merteuil's revenge; she aims to control his future wife's mind.
Letter 98: Madame de Volanges to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The intended fiancé; Madame de Volanges contemplates breaking her promise to him to avoid forcing Cecilia into a miserable marriage.
Letter 99: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Mentioned as the intended victim of Merteuil's designs, which Valmont's affair with Cecilia serves.
Letter 104: The Marchioness de Merteuil to Madame de Volanges
Presented as the more advantageous match for Cecilia, with secure fortune and irreproachable personal qualities.
Letter 106: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Target of revenge; Merteuil plans to make him a cuckold and ensure his public humiliation.
Letter 111: Count Gercourt to Madame de Volanges
Writes to Madame de Volanges from Bastia, Corsica, discussing his return to France and a proposed journey to Italy with his cousin.
Letter 117: Cecilia Volanges to the Chevalier Danceny
Mentioned as the cause of trouble and the man Cecilia is destined to marry, whom she already hates.
Letter 170: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde
Mentioned as the intended match for Cecilia; his imminent return complicates Madame de Volanges' decision about the engagement.

Chapter companion notes

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See Count Gercourt in Letter 2: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount Valmont, at the Castle of ⸻