The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
In Which d’Artagnan at Last Places His Hand Upon His Captain’s Commission explained
D'Artagnan receives his long-awaited commission as captain of the Musketeers from King Louis XIV, who also promotes Raoul de Bragelonne to his personal service.
What happens
D'Artagnan receives his long-awaited commission as captain of the Musketeers from King Louis XIV, who also promotes Raoul de Bragelonne to his personal service. D'Artagnan expresses regret over the hanging at the Place de Grève, but the king honors his promise. The chapter ends with d'Artagnan informing the king of the death of Gaston d'Orléans.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Loyalty
Raoul's oath to serve the king, sworn at Saint-Denis, exemplifies lifelong loyalty; d'Artagnan's regret over the executions shows his personal sense of honor.
The Nature of Kingship
Louis XIV demonstrates his authority by granting commissions and promoting officers, while also showing sensitivity to royal protocol when learning of Gaston's death.
Friendship and Betrayal
D'Artagnan's loyalty to Athos and Raoul is evident in his praise of them to the king; the king's trust in d'Artagnan contrasts with his suspicion of Colbert's reports.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Receives his captain's commission from the king; expresses regret over the Grève executions; informs the king of Gaston's death.
- Louis XIV
Promotes Raoul to his service; grants d'Artagnan his commission; learns of his uncle Gaston's death.
- Raoul de Bragelonne
Presented to the king; transferred from Monsieur le Prince's service to the king's; recalls his oath to serve royalty.
- Athos
Mentioned as Raoul's father and d'Artagnan's friend; his role in Charles II's restoration is noted.
- Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Mentioned as having reported favorably on d'Artagnan and Raoul to the king.
- Nicolas Fouquet
Mentioned indirectly as the owner of Belle-Isle, the subject of d'Artagnan's journey.
Key passages
“Mordioux! Thirty-two hours in the saddle, I ride day and night, I perform prodigies of speed, I arrive stiff as the corpse of a man who has been hung—and another arrives before me! Come, sire, I am a fool!—My discharge, sire!”
D'Artagnan exclaims in frustration that despite riding tirelessly for thirty-two hours, someone else has arrived before him, and he jokingly asks for his discharge.
D'Artagnan's characteristic blend of humor and exasperation as he presents his report to the king.
“Sire, he is a man who has drawn his sword more times for the king, your father, than there are, at present, months in the happy life of Your Majesty.”
D'Artagnan tells the king that Athos has fought for Louis XIII more times than Louis XIV has lived months.
D'Artagnan's hyperbolic praise of Athos's service to the crown.
“Sire, in passing through Blois, a word, a sad word, echoed from the palace, struck my ear.”
D'Artagnan informs the king that he heard news of a death while passing through Blois.
D'Artagnan's tactful delivery of the news of Gaston d'Orléans's death.