The Three Musketeers · Chapter
IX: d’Artagnan Shows Himself explained
D'Artagnan returns from chasing the mysterious stranger who abducted Madame Bonacieux, only to find his three musketeer friends waiting.
What happens
D'Artagnan returns from chasing the mysterious stranger who abducted Madame Bonacieux, only to find his three musketeer friends waiting. He recounts his encounter with his landlord Bonacieux and the abduction, linking it to the man from Meung. The friends discuss the political implications involving the queen and Cardinal Richelieu. When Bonacieux bursts in, fleeing arrest, D'Artagnan cleverly pretends to side with the guards, handing him over while secretly preserving their freedom to act. The chapter culminates in the four friends swearing the famous motto 'All for one, one for all,' declaring themselves at feud with the cardinal.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Friendship
The four friends swear an oath of mutual support, 'All for one, one for all,' solidifying their bond against the cardinal.
Deception and Disguise
D'Artagnan deceives the guards by pretending to cooperate, while Aramis was mistaken for Buckingham due to his cloak and hat.
Power and Politics
The abduction of Madame Bonacieux is linked to the queen's affairs; the friends declare themselves at feud with Cardinal Richelieu, highlighting the power struggle.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Returns from chasing the stranger; recounts the abduction of Madame Bonacieux; devises a clever ruse to hand over Bonacieux to the guards; proposes and leads the oath 'All for one, one for all.'
- Athos
Remains taciturn but observant; approves of D'Artagnan's actions; joins in the oath.
- Porthos
Initially confused by D'Artagnan's ruse; grumbles but ultimately swears the oath.
- Aramis
Warns D'Artagnan about women; reveals he was mistaken for the Duke of Buckingham; joins the oath.
- Monsieur Bonacieux
Bursts in seeking help from the musketeers; is handed over to the guards by D'Artagnan's stratagem.
- Planchet
Sent by D'Artagnan to fetch wine from Bonacieux.
Key passages
“All for one, one for all—that is our motto, is it not?”
We must stand together as one, each supporting the others.
D'Artagnan proposes the famous oath that binds the four friends.
“You are a shabby old fellow, my dear. You come to demand money of me—of a musketeer! To prison with him!”
You are a miserable old man to ask a musketeer for rent—take him away!
D'Artagnan feigns anger to hand Bonacieux over to the guards without suspicion.