The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The Audience explained
King Charles II grants audiences to Monck, d'Artagnan, and Athos, rewarding them with titles, honors, and riches.
What happens
King Charles II grants audiences to Monck, d'Artagnan, and Athos, rewarding them with titles, honors, and riches. D'Artagnan ransoms Monck's sword for 300,000 livres, Athos receives the Golden Fleece, and Monck is made Viceroy of Ireland and Scotland.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Loyalty
D'Artagnan refuses a post under Charles II to keep his word to the French king, while Athos is honored for his faithful service.
Greed and Corruption
D'Artagnan's internal monologue contrasts his own lack of reward with the prosperity of others, highlighting the tension between merit and fortune.
The Nature of Kingship
Charles II demonstrates the art of kingship through calculated generosity, rewarding loyalty while maintaining authority.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Ransoms Monck's sword for 300,000 livres, refuses a post under Charles II out of loyalty to the French king, and is made a Chevalier.
- Athos
Receives the Order of the Golden Fleece from Charles II, who calls him a second father.
- Charles II
Generously rewards his benefactors, bestowing titles, money, and honors, while skillfully managing his court.
- General Monck
Made Duke and Viceroy of Ireland and Scotland; formally surrenders his sword to d'Artagnan as ransom.
Key passages
“Mordioux! grumbled d’Artagnan, “there is the shower beginning again! Oh! it is enough to turn one’s brain!””
D'Artagnan mutters in frustration as he sees the king bestowing lavish rewards on others, feeling left out.
D'Artagnan's comic exasperation at the king's generosity toward others.
“I have still asked too little, I know, but believe me, Your Grace, I would rather have died than allow myself to be governed by avarice.”
D'Artagnan claims he deliberately undervalued the sword to avoid appearing greedy.
D'Artagnan's witty self-justification after receiving a large sum for Monck's sword.
“It is unaccountably strange, said d’Artagnan to himself, whilst his friend, on his knees, received the eminent order which the king conferred on him— it is almost incredible that I have always seen showers of prosperity fall upon all who surrounded me, and that not a drop ever reached me!”
D'Artagnan reflects bitterly that while others are showered with honors, he receives nothing.
D'Artagnan's internal jealousy and sense of being overlooked.