# Confession of a Man of Wealth explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

Cardinal Mazarin, feeling the approach of death, makes a general confession to the Théatin, hoping for absolution. He confesses to pride, ambition, and various political sins, but the confessor presses him on the sin of avarice and demands that he make restitution of his vast wealth to the king. Mazarin is horrified and refuses, and the Théatin denies him absolution, leaving Mazarin in despair.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Corruption

Mazarin's vast wealth, amassed through state service and church benefices, becomes the central obstacle to his absolution, highlighting the corruption of power.

### Power and Ambition

Mazarin's confession reveals his ambition for the papacy and his manipulation of state affairs, showing how ambition drives his actions.

### Fate and Tragedy

Mazarin's refusal to make restitution leads to his spiritual despair, foreshadowing his tragic end without absolution.

## Character check-ins

### Jules Mazarin

Mazarin makes a general confession, hoping for absolution, but is denied when he refuses to make restitution of his wealth.

### The Théatin

The confessor hears Mazarin's confession, absolves him of minor sins, but insists on restitution of his ill-gotten wealth, denying absolution when Mazarin refuses.

### Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Mazarin calls for Colbert in his distress after the confessor leaves.

## Key lines

> I believe I have exhausted pride. There is another sin which I am afraid to qualify.

Mazarin thinks he has confessed all his sins of pride, but hesitates to name another sin.

_Mazarin's reluctance to confess his avarice._

> Restitution!—but to whom, good God?

Mazarin cries out, asking to whom he must return his wealth.

_Mazarin's desperate refusal to give back his fortune._

> Absolution! absolution!

Mazarin begs for absolution.

_Mazarin's plea for forgiveness despite his refusal to make restitution._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/45-confession-of-a-man-of-wealth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters