Two mismatched floral porcelain cups sharing a shallow saucer

Original artwork, not a still

Marquise De Merteuil

Adopt a less marital tone.

— Dangerous Liaisons  ·  1988

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker curtly instructs someone to speak less like a spouse. The command implies the person's manner presumes a familiarity the speaker wants withdrawn, and asks for more distance. Its cool precision turns tone of voice into a matter of control.

Context reviewed

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