# II: Quos Deus Vult Perdere explained — Scaramouche

> Chapter companion for Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini.

## What happens

André-Louis settles into his new life as a fencing instructor in Paris, observing the political turmoil of spring and summer 1789. He watches the growing hunger and distress, the paralysis of trade, and the assembly of the States General. He encounters the Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr in the Palais Royal gardens, exchanging threats. Later, he witnesses the crowd's fury and the dragoons' charge led by the Prince de Lambesc, which results in the death of his friend and master, Bertrand des Amis, trampled by cavalry.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Revolution

André-Louis observes the suffering of the proletariat and the ambitions of the bourgeois, highlighting class tensions and the revolutionary struggle.

### Eloquence and Power

The power of speech is emphasized through Camille Desmoulins' fiery oratory and André-Louis' own dangerous eloquence when confronting the Marquis.

### Fate and Free Will

André-Louis reflects on his earlier misconceptions and the inevitability of revolutionary change, while characters are swept along by events beyond their control.

## Character check-ins

### André-Louis Moreau

Observes the political events in Paris, encounters the Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr, and witnesses the death of his friend Bertrand des Amis.

### Marquis de La Tour d'Azyr

Confronts André-Louis in the Palais Royal gardens, threatening to denounce him to the police.

### Bertrand des Amis

André-Louis' friend and master at the fencing academy; goes out for news and is trampled to death by dragoons.

### Le Chapelier

Mentioned as a prominent deputy arriving for the States General.

### Prince de Lambesc

Leads the dragoons in the Tuileries Gardens, ordering them to fire on the crowd.

### Camille Desmoulins

Raised the call to arms at the Palais Royal, described as a stuttering firebrand.

### M. Necker

The Swiss banker whose effigy was smashed by the crowd; his genius is referenced in relation to the economic crisis.

### Besenval

Brings up Swiss troops and artillery, orders dragoons to disperse the crowd.

## Key lines

> Quos Deus Vult Perdere

Whom God wishes to destroy

_The chapter title, a Latin phrase suggesting divine punishment or destruction._

> It is time to cut the cable.

The moment has come to break free from the old order.

_Spoken by the Abbé Siéyès, signaling the decisive action of the Third Estate._

> The soil is parched, and thirsty for it.

The land is desperate for the blood of the nobility.

_André-Louis warns the Marquis that the people's thirst for revenge will lead to noble bloodshed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scaramouche_se/chapters/ii-quos-deus-vult-perdere
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scaramouche_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scaramouche_se/chapters