# 62: Vive Colbert! explained — The Vicomte de Bragelonne

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

## What happens

D'Artagnan and Raoul witness a violent mob in the Grève, where condemned men are seized from the archers by Menneville and his followers, who cry 'Vive Colbert!' and attempt to burn the prisoners alive in the Image-de-Notre-Dame. D'Artagnan and Raoul intervene to stop the fire and protect the house.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Corruption

The mob's cry 'Vive Colbert!' and the attempt to burn the condemned financiers highlight the corruption and public anger against financial exploitation.

### Court Intrigue and Deception

Menneville's orchestrated attack and the use of the crowd to further Colbert's agenda demonstrate the deceptive and manipulative nature of court politics.

## Character check-ins

### D'Artagnan

Observes the mob from the window, recognizes Menneville, and acts to stop the arson and protect the condemned.

### Raoul de Bragelonne

Assists d'Artagnan in extinguishing the fire and throwing an incendiary out the window; expresses horror at the violence.

### Menneville

Leads the group shouting 'Vive Colbert!' and orchestrates the attack on the condemned and the arson.

## Key lines

> pushing, and lifting themselves up, had succeeded in almost touching the hedge of archers. The cortège resumed its march. All at once, to cries of “ Vive Colbert!” those men, of whom d’Artagnan never lost sight, fell upon the escort, which in vain endeavored to stand against them.

The crowd pressed forward until they nearly reached the archers, and then, shouting 'Long live Colbert!', the men d'Artagnan had been watching attacked the guards, who could not hold them back.

_Describes the sudden violent assault on the escort by Menneville's men._

> “Mordioux!” exclaimed d’Artagnan, “this begins to look serious.”

D'Artagnan swore and realized the situation was becoming dangerous.

_D'Artagnan's reaction to the escalating violence._

> “To the fire! to the fire with the thieves! Vive Colbert!”

The mob demanded that the thieves be burned alive, shouting support for Colbert.

_The crowd's cry calling for the execution of the condemned by fire._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters/62-vive-colbert
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicomte_de_bragelonne_se/chapters