Dangerous Liaisons, Letter 5 summary
Letter 5 of 177 · 4 min to read the letter
In Letter 5, the Marquise de MERTEUIL ridicules the Vicomte de VALMONT’s pursuit of Madame Tourvel and urges him to reconsider the adventure he refuses. She reports Danceny’s attraction to young Volanges, threatens to withdraw her confidence, and declares her intention to break with the Chevalier.
What happens
- Merteuil dismisses Valmont’s insulting letter as evidence that he loses his judgment over Tourvel.
- She mocks Tourvel’s appearance and recalls her awkward behavior while collecting alms at Saint-Roch.
- She argues that Tourvel’s marriage and religious fears make the pursuit humiliating and unlikely to provide pleasure.
- She challenges Valmont’s reputation and resents his refusal of an adventure involving Gercourt.
- She considers breaking with the Chevalier, takes pleasure in imagining his despair, and blames Valmont for her mood.
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In this letter
What to notice
Marquise de MERTEUIL treats a lover’s suffering as entertainment. The statement makes her proposed breakup an exercise of power rather than a response to any stated wrongdoing.
Quick check
What brings Danceny and Volanges together?
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