Les Héroïnes de la Littérature Française - La Marquise de Merteuil

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE

In: Reading B2, Literature, Poetry, Theatre, Listening or Seeing B2

Discussion of this reading exercise: 0

At the end of the 18th century, the epistolary novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" follows the intrigues of the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, two amoral libertines who amuse themselves by ruining others and who ultimately destroy each other. Mastering the art of manipulation and deceit to her own ends, the Marquise is a fascinating literary figure, the polar opposite of her contemporary heroines. As part of our series "Les Héroïnes de la Littérature Française", (re)discover this ambivalent femme fatale and how she was a heroine ahead of her time in our article below.

After listening to the audio, click any word for the English translation and links to related grammar lessons.

Note: The tenses in this French article and its English translation don't match! In French, we use the present tense to describe historical stories like this to evoke a sense of immediacy, whereas in English, we commonly use the past tense - learn more about historical French tenses.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3: