# The Presentation of Porthos at Court explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

> Chapter companion for The Vicomte de Bragelonne by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

At a royal audience, d'Artagnan presents Porthos to King Louis XIV, revealing the connections between the former musketeers. Fouquet and Aramis are taken aback by Porthos's appearance, but d'Artagnan's clever maneuvering secures Aramis a cardinal's hat and Porthos an invitation to sup with the king.

## Themes in this chapter

### Court Intrigue and Deception

D'Artagnan's strategic presentation of Porthos unsettles Fouquet and Aramis, revealing layers of manipulation and hidden agendas at court.

### Friendship and Betrayal

The reunion of the former musketeers is fraught with tension; d'Artagnan's actions both support and challenge his old friends, testing loyalties.

### Power and Ambition

Aramis's pursuit of a cardinal's hat and Fouquet's maneuvering highlight the relentless ambition for power and influence at the royal court.

## Character check-ins

### Porthos

Presented to the king by d'Artagnan; visibly overcome but receives an invitation to sup with Louis XIV.

### D'Artagnan

Orchestrates the presentation of Porthos and cleverly advances Aramis's cause, securing a cardinal's hat for him.

### Aramis

Presented by Fouquet; initially alarmed by Porthos's appearance but ultimately gains the promise of a cardinal's hat.

### Louis XIV

Grants audience, admires the former musketeers, and promises Aramis a cardinal's hat; invites Porthos to supper.

### Nicolas Fouquet

Presents Aramis to the king and requests a cardinal's hat for him; reacts with concern at Porthos's appearance.

### Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Overhears the king's promise to Aramis and leaves the salon abruptly, stung by the favor shown.

## Key lines

> “Sire,” said d’Artagnan, “it is more than six years ago I ought to have presented M. du Vallon to Your Majesty; but certain men resemble stars, they move not one inch unless their satellites accompany them. The Pleiades are never disunited, and that is the reason I have selected, for the purpose of presenting him to you, the very moment when you would see M. d’Herblay by his side.”

D'Artagnan explains to the king that he delayed presenting Porthos because true friends, like stars in a constellation, always appear together, and he chose this moment to present Porthos alongside Aramis.

_D'Artagnan uses a celestial metaphor to justify his timing and to emphasize the bond among the former musketeers._

> “Sire,” said d’Artagnan, “this worthy gentleman is utterly overpowered by Your Majesty’s presence, he who so valiantly sustained the looks and the fire of a thousand foes. But, knowing what his thoughts are, I—who am more accustomed to gaze upon the sun—can translate them: he needs nothing, absolutely nothing; his sole desire is to have the happiness of gazing upon Your Majesty for a quarter of an hour.”

D'Artagnan tells the king that Porthos is overwhelmed by the royal presence and that his only wish is to simply behold the king for a short time, needing nothing else.

_D'Artagnan speaks on behalf of the speechless Porthos, flattering the king and securing a favorable impression._

## Links

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