The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
Malaga explained
D'Artagnan, feeling neglected and bored at the king's festivities at Fontainebleau, obtains leave of absence and returns to Paris, where he lodges with Planchet.
What happens
D'Artagnan, feeling neglected and bored at the king's festivities at Fontainebleau, obtains leave of absence and returns to Paris, where he lodges with Planchet. Planchet, now a grocer, adopts a new philosophy of life and a new oath, 'Malaga,' and invites D'Artagnan to visit his country house at Fontainebleau. D'Artagnan, preoccupied with the mysterious behavior of Aramis and Porthos, resolves to investigate their affairs.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Betrayal
D'Artagnan's anxiety over Aramis's silence and his feeling of being forgotten by his friends highlight the theme of loyalty and potential betrayal.
Class and Social Mobility
Planchet's transformation from a servant to a wealthy grocer with a country house exemplifies social advancement.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Feels neglected and bored at court; obtains leave from the king and returns to Planchet's house in Paris; broods over Aramis's silence and Porthos's whereabouts.
- Planchet
Now a grocer in the Rue des Lombards; adopts a new oath 'Malaga' and a sybaritic philosophy; invites D'Artagnan to his country house at Fontainebleau.
- Louis XIV
Appears briefly when D'Artagnan requests leave; the king is absorbed in festivities and grants the leave.
- Aramis
Mentioned repeatedly in D'Artagnan's thoughts and dreams; D'Artagnan is troubled by his silence and mysterious activities.
- Porthos
Mentioned as one of the mysteries D'Artagnan seeks to unravel; his whereabouts are unknown.
Key passages
“During all these long and noisy debates between the opposite ambitions of politics and love, one of our characters, perhaps the one least deserving of neglect, was, however, very much neglected, very much forgotten, and exceedingly unhappy.”
Amid the political and romantic intrigues, one character—d'Artagnan—was overlooked and unhappy.
Introduces d'Artagnan's neglected state at court.
“I shall undress myself”
I will not dress up at all.
D'Artagnan's sarcastic reply when asked about his costume.
“Malaga! I have no notion of M. d'Artagnan leaving my house thinner than when he entered it.”
By my oath, I won't let you leave my house looking thinner than when you arrived.
Planchet uses his new oath to express concern for d'Artagnan's health.