“La solitude ajoute à l’ardeur du désir”: Dangerous Isolation in Les Liaisons dangereuses

In Choderlos de Laclos’s Les Liaisons dangereuses (1782), the motif of solitude, from conventual seclusion to virtuous retreats and libertine isolation, is as much a contributor characters’ downfall dangerous liaisons advertised in novel’s title. Engaging eighteenth-century discourse on I argue that illustrates period’s redefinition private public spheres, Enlightenment’s secularization notion retreat, its understanding Self real source one’s temptation. Solitude reconfigured space where inner desires can surface; however, such revelations often menace happiness. Analyzing representation physical seclusion, their strategic retreats, psychological isolation allows me explore how solitude perilous stems conviction that, period intent frustrating an individual’s natural drives, most liaison one have with oneself.