Rosebud as metaphor for innocent woman
The Marquise de Merteuil describes Cécile by saying that she is "a perfect rosebud". By this she means that Cécile has the potential to develop into a beautiful rose of a woman, but that she is presently immature, untutored, and unsophisticated.
Chariot guide as metaphor for Mme. de Merteuil
Mme. de Volanges describes her friend Mme. de Merteuil as "a dextrous guide" who enjoys driving her chariot between rocks and precipices. By this she means that although her friend likes to take risks and has the skill and good luck to not come to harm, it is unwise for other people to imitate her.
Achilles's lance as simile for love
Valmont describes love as being like the magical weapon borne by the mythical Greek hero Achilles, which was capable of curing the wounds it inflicted. Although Sigmund Freud would not be born until 1856, his famous association of long, piercing objects with male genitalia was not unique.
In Les Liaisons Dangereuses, as in most of the work of Shakespeare, if you suspect that a phrase might be a sexual reference, it is.
Attack as metaphor for sexual advances
In several places, Valmont in particular describes sexual overtures as a form of "attack" on a woman's defenses. Although he generally considers the phrase to be a reference to socially acceptable sexual advances, Valmont benefits from a gray area in which he is free to push the limits of morality and social acceptability. In Cécile's case, what Valmont does would indeed be considered a form of sexual attack, of the sort that would result in a fifteen-year prison sentence or more since it was against a minor. Yet in the world Valmont inhabits, aggressive sexual advances are permissible. The whole social world knows that he is predatory, yet as Mme. de Volanges notes in an early letter he is welcome everywhere despite his bad reputation. His wealth and aristocratic connections override other people's desire to protect themselves and the people they hold dear.
Knight-errant as simile for Valmont
Valmont's old friend and former lover, the Marquise de Merteuil, has a challenge or assignment for him. She compares him to a knight-errant, who in medieval tradition was sent on a quest by his ruler or his mistress. The fact that knights in medieval legends were supposed to be noble, selfless, and honorable is extremely ironic given the brutally venial task de Merteuil sets for Valmont. It will, however, require the use of his "lance".
Angel as simile for Danceny
Cécile asserts that her new acquaintance Danceny sings "like an angel", meaning that he has a fine singing voice and a great deal of musical talent. As a Knight of Malta, Danceny is at least nominally a member of a celibate military order recognized by the Catholic Church. This associates Danceny with religion in a different way, and for this reason Cécile does not immediately consider him an object of romantic attraction.
