Dangerous Liaisons · Theme
Revenge and Cruelty
How Dangerous Liaisons develops Revenge and Cruelty.
Merteuil and Valmont's actions are driven by a desire for revenge—Merteuil against Gercourt and Valmont against women who resist him—with cruelty inflicted for pleasure, culminating in duels, ruined reputations, and deaths.
Where it surfaces
- Letter 2: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount Valmont, at the Castle of ⸻
Merteuil's plot is driven by a desire for revenge against Gercourt for past slights, and she takes cruel pleasure in the prospect of his public humiliation.
- Letter 20: The Marchioness de Merteuil to Viscount Valmont
Merteuil's scheme against Gercourt is driven by his past mistreatment of her, aiming to ruin his marriage.
- Letter 44: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Upon discovering Madame de Volanges's interference, Valmont vows to seduce and ruin her daughter Cecilia as an act of vengeance.
- Letter 100: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Valmont's rage at being deceived fuels a detailed fantasy of revenge, including making Tourvel suffer and beg for mercy.
- Letter 144: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Valmont takes pride in Tourvel's suffering and views her retreat as a trophy, demonstrating his cruel delight in psychological domination.
- Letter 145: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Merteuil revels in her revenge against Tourvel as a rival, and takes pleasure in outmaneuvering Valmont, demonstrating her cruelty.
- Letter 151: The Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
Valmont threatens revenge if Merteuil does not comply, and references the suffering of Madame de Tourvel as a consequence of his own cruelty.
- Letter 153: Viscount de Valmont to the Marchioness de Merteuil
The chapter culminates in Merteuil's declaration of war, setting the stage for mutual destruction and revenge.
- Letter 154: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde
Madame de Volanges's resentment toward Valmont as the author of the unhappy adventure underscores the cruel consequences of his manipulations.
- Letter 159: The Marchioness de Merteuil to the Viscount de Valmont
Merteuil explicitly states her preference for revenge over ridicule, highlighting the theme of calculated cruelty.
- Letter 162: Chevalier Danceny to the Viscount de Valmont
Danceny's challenge is driven by a desire for revenge and to restore his honor after Valmont's betrayal, highlighting the theme of retribution.
- Letter 163: M. Bertrand to Madame de Rosemonde
The duel represents the culmination of revenge and cruelty between Valmont and Danceny, leading to Valmont's death.
- Letter 164: Madame de Rosemonde to M. Bertrand
Madame de Rosemonde's call for legal vengeance against Danceny reflects the theme of retribution, even as she invokes religion and humanity.
- Letter 167: Anonymous to the Chevalier Danceny
Madame de Rosemonde's reported intention to prosecute Danceny suggests a desire for legal revenge following Valmont's death in the duel.
- Letter 169: The Chevalier Danceny to Madame de Rosemonde
Danceny justifies his duel with Valmont as an act of revenge for betrayal in love, friendship, and confidence, and seeks to expose Merteuil as the true instigator.
- Letter 173: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde
The public humiliation of Merteuil at the opera, orchestrated by societal scorn and possibly Prevan's return, exemplifies collective cruelty as revenge for her past manipulations.
- Letter 175: Madame de Volanges to Madame de Rosemonde
The public glee at Merteuil's downfall and the sarcastic remarks about her disfigurement reflect the cruel satisfaction of her enemies.
