9. Talk about the ways in which desire and battle are intermingled thematically in this work.

[Kristel]

9. Talk about the ways in which desire and battle are intermingled thematically in this work.

[Tracy]

I think that, from the way the Marquise and Valmont wrote to each other, battle was foreplay, and therefore desire.

[Kristel]

Marquise and Valmont are meant for each other. They both know and play the game and can't be hurt unwittingly as they know the rules of the game. I think their game, is really a form of teasing or foreplay as Tracy mentions. They didn't care about who they hurt as they played their little game with each other.

[Diane]

Yes both well said.

[[deleted user]]

Agree with Tracy and Kristel :)

[Pip]

When they embarked on their plans for seduction, they weren't really focussed on desire, more on power, which morphed into a battle of wits with each other.