The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The Last Supper explained
Fouquet hosts a farewell dinner for his friends, aware of the king's impending action against him.
What happens
Fouquet hosts a farewell dinner for his friends, aware of the king's impending action against him. D'Artagnan arrives to collect payment on a king's order, and the gathering becomes a tense, emotional farewell as Fouquet's friends urge him to flee. Despite their pleas, Fouquet resolves to go to Nantes as summoned by the king, and the chapter ends with his hurried departure.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Betrayal
Fouquet's friends remain loyal and urge him to flee, while the king's actions signal betrayal; the chapter highlights the tension between loyalty and self-preservation.
Fate and Tragedy
Fouquet's acceptance of his fate, despite warnings and pleas, imbues the chapter with a tragic sense of inevitability.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Arrives at Fouquet's residence to collect payment on a king's order, observes the tense atmosphere, and exchanges ominous toasts with Fouquet.
- Nicolas Fouquet
Hosts a farewell dinner, aware of his impending ruin; he is pale and feverish, but remains firm in his decision to go to Nantes.
- Madame de Bellière
Sits at Fouquet's left, pale and trembling, showing support alongside Madame Fouquet; receives Fouquet's last kiss before his departure.
- Madame Fouquet
Sits at Fouquet's right, anxious and supportive; faints during the hurried departure.
- Pélisson
Fouquet's friend and advisor; urges flight, organizes the departure, and supports Madame Fouquet.
- Gourville
Brings news of musketeers mounting, gathers contributions from friends, and drives Fouquet's carriage.
Key passages
“The superintendent had no doubt received advice of the approaching departure, for he was giving a farewell dinner to his friends.”
Fouquet, aware of the king's imminent action, hosted a farewell dinner for his friends.
Sets the scene for the chapter's central event.
“I, for a moment, thought it was I and not my money he wanted,”
Fouquet momentarily feared that d'Artagnan had come to arrest him rather than collect payment.
Reveals Fouquet's anxiety and the underlying tension.
“he gave one day to his friends a repast which is called the Last Supper, and which was nothing but a farewell dinner, like that which we are making at this moment.”
Fouquet compares his farewell dinner to the biblical Last Supper, implying a sense of betrayal and sacrifice.
Highlights the chapter's thematic depth and Fouquet's foreboding.