# Les Liaisons dangereuses

> 1782 epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

**Wikidata**: [Q862050](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q862050)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Liaisons_dangereuses)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/les-liaisons-dangereuses

## Summary
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is a 1782 epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, a French novelist, military officer, and government official. Written entirely as a series of letters, it is a landmark work in French literature that explores themes of manipulation, aristocratic decadence, and moral corruption. The novel remains a critical study of 18th-century French society and a foundational text in the epistolary genre.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (1741–1803), French novelist, military general, and government official.
- **Genre**: Epistolary novel, a literary work written as a series of letters.
- **Publication Date**: March 15, 1782.
- **Country of Origin**: France, a semi-presidential republic with overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania.
- **Classification**: Literary work, subclass of written work and type of work of art.
- **Notable Features**: Explores themes of manipulation, aristocratic decadence, and moral corruption.
- **Related Genres**: Fiction, drama, satire, and erotica.
- **Identifiers**:
  - psh_id: 6918
  - yso_id: 1150
  - ne.se_id: litterärt-verk
  - kbpedia_id: LiteraryWork
  - open_library_id: OL32245091W
  - google_knowledge_graph_id: /g/1234t710, /g/11c71cnldv
- **Wikidata Properties**:
  - instance_of: type of work of art
  - subclass_of: work of art, written work
  - different_from: version, edition or translation, fiction, written work
  - has_part: text
  - fabrication_method: writing
- **Maintained by**: WikiProject Books.
- **Categorized under**: Category: Literary works.
- **Aliases**: "The Dangerous Liaisons."
- **Digital Editions**: Available on Standard Ebooks, Project Gutenberg, and other platforms.

## FAQs
**What is *Les Liaisons dangereuses*?**
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is a 1782 epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, written entirely as a series of letters. It is a seminal work in French literature that critiques the moral decay of 18th-century aristocracy and explores themes of manipulation and corruption.

**Who wrote *Les Liaisons dangereuses*?**
The novel was written by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, a French novelist, military general, and government official. He is best known for his contributions to literature and his dual career in the military and civil administration.

**What genre does *Les Liaisons dangereuses* belong to?**
It is an epistolary novel, a literary form written as a series of letters. It also falls under the broader categories of fiction, drama, satire, and erotica.

**What themes does the novel explore?**
The novel explores themes of manipulation, aristocratic decadence, and moral corruption, providing a critical examination of 18th-century French society.

**Where was *Les Liaisons dangereuses* published?**
The novel was published in France, a country with a rich literary and historical legacy. It was written during a period of significant cultural and political transition, including the era leading up to the French Revolution.

**What is the significance of *Les Liaisons dangereuses* in literature?**
The novel is a landmark work in the epistolary genre and remains a critical study of 18th-century French society. It has influenced subsequent writers and scholars, serving as a foundational text in the study of moral and social critique.

**Are there digital editions of *Les Liaisons dangereuses* available?**
Yes, digital editions are available on platforms such as Standard Ebooks, Project Gutenberg, and other digital libraries, ensuring its accessibility to modern readers.

## Why It Matters
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* matters because it fundamentally altered the landscape of French literature and the epistolary genre. By crafting a complex narrative through letters, Laclos provided an unprecedented psychological depth to character development and social critique. The novel remains a critical study of 18th-century French aristocracy and a foundational text in the study of moral and social corruption. Its influence extends beyond literature, shaping discussions on power, manipulation, and the moral decay of elite societies. The work continues to be studied and adapted, ensuring its relevance in both academic and cultural contexts.

## Notable For
- **Landmark Epistolary Novel**: Established the epistolary genre as a significant literary form.
- **Critical Examination of Aristocracy**: Provided a scathing critique of 18th-century French aristocratic decadence.
- **Themes of Manipulation and Corruption**: Explored complex psychological and moral dynamics in a way unprecedented in its time.
- **Influence on Subsequent Literature**: Inspired numerous adaptations and analyses in literature, film, and theater.
- **Digital Preservation**: Available in multiple digital editions, ensuring its accessibility to modern audiences.
- **Historical Significance**: Written during a period of significant cultural and political transition, reflecting the moral and social issues of its era.

## Body

### Definition and Nature
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is a 1782 epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, a French novelist, military officer, and government official. It is a literary work classified as a type of work of art and a subclass of written work, indicating its artistic and intellectual value. The novel is composed of text and created through the process of writing, distinguishing it from other textual forms such as manuals or reports.

### Classification and Relationships
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is a manifestation of literature and is part of the broader field of literature. It is linked to the following identifiers and classifications:
- psh_id: 6918
- yso_id: 1150
- ne.se_id: litterärt-verk
- kbpedia_id: LiteraryWork
- open_library_id: OL32245091W
- google_knowledge_graph_id: /g/1234t710, /g/11c71cnldv
- model_item: literature, comics, prose, diary
- subclass_of: work of art, written work
- instance_of: type of work of art
- has_characteristic: type of literary work
- has_part: text
- fabrication_method: writing
- different_from: version, edition or translation, fiction, written work

### Properties and Identifiers
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is associated with a wide range of properties for this type, including:
- P50, P407, P136, P921, P373, P214, P8189, P747, P577, P495, P2408, P840, P166, P7937, P1274, P8383, P1085, P10319, P5331, P123, P1922, P3132, P144, P941, P1036, P244, P291, P953, P6216, P648, P674, P7150

### Cultural and Academic Context
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is foundational to the field of literature and is studied and preserved in academic and cultural contexts. It is linked to:
- University of Barcelona authority ID: 981060927480506706
- Dictionary of Archives Terminology ID: literary-works
- Encyclopedia of China (third edition) ID: 223088
- Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging ID: 13535
- Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae ID: R5CMB55TONDPPKYZCQSNGMQASA

### Maintenance and Curation
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is maintained by WikiProject Books, which ensures its accurate documentation and categorization. It is also part of the "Category: Literary works" and is associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work" for structured representation.

### Distinction from Other Concepts
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is distinct from the general term "Werk" and has a separate descriptive page to ensure clarity in classification. It is also different from "version, edition or translation" and "fiction," which are considered separate entities.

### Role in Digital and Cultural Archives
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is cataloged and preserved in digital and cultural archives using specific identifiers and classification systems, ensuring its long-term accessibility and scholarly engagement.

### Author and Historical Context
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos was a French novelist, military officer, and government official who lived from 1741 to 1803. He is best known for authoring *Les Liaisons dangereuses*, a landmark work in French literature that explores themes of manipulation and aristocratic decadence. In addition to his literary fame, he served as a general in the French army and held various official government positions during his lifetime.

### Literary Career and Works
Laclos is primarily identified as a novelist, a writer of novels, and a prose writer. His most significant and notable work is *Les Liaisons dangereuses*, published in 1782. This work is categorized specifically as an epistolary novel, a genre defined by being written as a series of letters. As a writer, he used written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works. His field of work included literature and the specific domain of the epistolary novel. He is also categorized as a journalist in some contexts, though his primary fame rests on his novelistic output. The work *Les Liaisons dangereuses* is a landmark publication that established his reputation as a major literary figure of the 18th century.

### Military Service and Command
In addition to his literary pursuits, Laclos was a dedicated military officer and a member of an armed force who held a position of authority. He rose to the rank of general, serving as a military commander who commanded military forces. His career in military affairs encompassed the collective term for everything concerning the military, including legal regulations and the training of soldiers. He served as an officer in the French army, contributing to the defense and administration of the French state. His military career was concurrent with his literary work, demonstrating a dual commitment to the arts and the armed forces.

### Government and Official Roles
Laclos also served as an official, defined as someone who holds a high government office. His role as an official placed him within the administrative structure of the French government. This position required him to engage in the governance and management of state affairs. His service as an official complemented his military rank, providing a comprehensive view of his public service career. He was a citizen of France, a semi-presidential republic, and his work contributed to the functioning of the state during a turbulent historical period.

### Legacy and Historical Context
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos died on September 5, 1803, leaving behind a legacy as a French novelist, official, and army general. His life and work are documented in various academic and library databases, with identifiers such as the GND (118568604), ISNI (0000000120250670), and VIAF (46758913). He is associated with the field of military affairs and the genre of the epistolary novel. His contributions to French literature and the military are recognized in historical records and sitelinks across multiple languages. The country of France, where he lived and worked, has a rich history dating back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 and the establishment of West Francia, evolving through the First French Empire in 1804, a period that followed his death but was shaped by the era in which he lived. His work remains a vital part of the cultural heritage of France, a nation known for its motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" and its significant global influence.

### Digital Editions and Accessibility
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is available in multiple digital editions, ensuring its accessibility to modern readers. These editions include:
- Standard Ebooks: [https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/dangerous-liaisons/thomas-moore](https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/dangerous-liaisons/thomas-moore)
- Project Gutenberg: [https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52006](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52006)
- Other platforms: MiMoText, GitHub, and various digital libraries.

### Related Projects and Entities
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is related to various projects and entities, including:
- Screenplay, which is a written work by screenwriters for a film or television program.
- Indian classical drama, which represents the dramatic tradition of classical India.
- Legal drama, which is a genre of film, television, and theatre.
- Radio drama, which is the radio transmission of a recording of a play or dramatization of a literary work.
- Christian drama, which involves theatrical performances of Christian stories.
- Indian soap opera, which refers to soap operas written, produced, and filmed in India.

### Notable Works and Plays
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* includes numerous notable works and plays, such as:
- "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry.
- "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" by Tennessee Williams.
- "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" by Bertolt Brecht.
- "The Dybbuk" by S. Ansky.
- "The House of Bernarda Alba" by Federico García Lorca.
- "The Investigation" by Peter Weiss.
- "The L.A. Complex" as a television series.
- "The Living Corpse" by Leo Tolstoy.

### Drama in Education and Research
*Les Liaisons dangereuses* is also a subject of academic research and education, with numerous scholars and institutions dedicated to its study. It is used as a tool for teaching literature, performance, and cultural studies. Drama is also used in therapeutic and educational settings to help individuals express themselves and develop communication skills.

## References

1. [Source](http://data.mimotext.uni-trier.de/entity/Q1053)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://archive.org/details/lesliaisonsdange00pier)
4. Bibliographie Du Genre Romanesque Français, 1751-1800
5. [Source](https://data.mimotext.uni-trier.de/wiki/Item:Q1053)
6. Q136534809
7. [Source](https://wolnelektury.pl/katalog/lektura/laclos-niebezpieczne-zwiazki/)
8. Goodreads
9. [Source](https://data.mimotext.uni-trier.de/entity/Q1053)
10. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute