Dangerous Liaisons · Character
Prevan
A rival libertine who attempts to seduce Merteuil.
minor
Also known as M. de Prevan, the incredulous Prevan, Monsieur de Prevan
First appearance: letter 51 the marchioness de merteuil to viscount valmont
Prevan'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.
Publicly challenges Merteuil's virtue at the supper, gaining confidence from his recent triple adventure; Valmont considers him a formidable rival.
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With Marchioness de Merteuil (romantic): A brief, calculated affair used by Merteuil to publicly ruin Prevan's reputation. With Viscount de Valmont (rivalry): Competing libertines who view each other as rivals in…
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The fuller portrait of Prevan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Prevan in letter 51 the marchioness de merteuil to viscount valmontCharacter Web
10 connectionsA slice of how Prevan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Romantic
- Rivalry
- Other
Character groups
- Young lovers and rivals
- Servants, family, and targets
- Protagonist
+5 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative 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…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Marchioness de Merteuil
romantic · negative
A brief, calculated affair used by Merteuil to publicly ruin Prevan's reputation. How this plays out →
- Viscount de Valmont
rivalry · negative
- Marchioness de Merteuil
romantic · negative
A brief, calculated affair used by Merteuil to publicly ruin Prevan's reputation. How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Prevan in letter 51 the marchioness de merteuil to viscount valmontIn the story
Prevan appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Letter 70: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
- Letter 74: Marchioness de Merteuil to Viscount de Valmont
- Letter 79: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
- Letter 85: Marchioness de Merteuil to Viscount de Valmont
- Letter 86: The Marechale de ⸻ to the Marchioness de Merteuil
- Letter 87: The Marchioness de Merteuil to Madame de Volanges
- Letter 169: The Chevalier Danceny to Madame de Rosemonde
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Prevan unlock in the free preview.
See Prevan in letter 51 the marchioness de merteuil to viscount valmont