BIB_ID
294519
Accession number
MA 6787.76
Creator
Beaumarchais, Pierre Augustin Caron de, 1732-1799.
Display Date
1777 Aug. 24.
Credit line
The Dannie and Hettie Heineman Collection. Gift of the Heineman Foundation, 1977.
Description
1 item (3 p.) ; 22.5 cm
Notes
Labeled "no. 77" by Madame de Godeville.
Part of a collection of 106 letters from Beaumarchais to Madame de Godeville. The letters are described in individual records (MA 6787.1-106).
The date is in Madame de Godeville's hand.
Part of a collection of 106 letters from Beaumarchais to Madame de Godeville. The letters are described in individual records (MA 6787.1-106).
The date is in Madame de Godeville's hand.
Provenance
The Dannie and Hettie Heineman Collection.
Summary
Saying he was taken aback by her cold letter; regretting sending his last letter because it was ill-received under her unfortunate circumstances; discussing letter writing; asking for forgiveness; pondering the question of love; saying he has lost his respect for love because it is tyrannical, self-interested, and exclusive; arguing that consistency is only a virtue because it entails a sacrifice; saying that exclusivity can solely be found in orgasm; arguing that love is shattered by its own demand for sacrifice and duty; saying that to think rationally is the nemesis of love whereas to laugh, enjoy, and talk nonsense are conducive to it; begging her to send back his letter.
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