The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
The Death of d'Artagnan explained
D'Artagnan leads a successful campaign in Holland, capturing twelve places in a month.
What happens
D'Artagnan leads a successful campaign in Holland, capturing twelve places in a month. During the siege of the thirteenth, he receives a letter from Colbert informing him that the king has nominated him Marshal of France, along with a coffer as a personal gift. As he reaches for the coffer, a cannonball crushes it and strikes him fatally. He dies holding the marshal's baton, murmuring farewells to Athos, Porthos, and Aramis.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Loyalty
D'Artagnan's unwavering service to the king and his fulfillment of promises, culminating in his promotion and death, exemplify honor and loyalty.
Fate and Tragedy
D'Artagnan's death at the moment of his greatest triumph, struck down by a cannonball as he reaches for his marshal's baton, underscores the tragic interplay of fate and glory.
Friendship and Betrayal
D'Artagnan's final words recall his fallen comrades Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, highlighting the enduring bonds of friendship amidst the betrayals of court and war.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Leads the siege in Holland, receives news of his promotion to Marshal of France, and is fatally wounded by a cannonball.
- Louis XIV
The king, pleased with d'Artagnan's successes, orders his promotion and enjoys the favor of Madame de Montespan.
- Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Sends d'Artagnan the letter of promotion and a personal coffer, fulfilling the king's promise.
- Madame de Montespan
Gains favor with the king by calling him 'Louis the Invincible' as d'Artagnan's victories enhance his majesty.
- Louise de La Vallière
Loses the king's favor as her tears contrast with the court's joy; her star is waning.
- Aramis
Writes to Colbert about his negotiations in Spain, securing neutrality and support for France.
- Athos
Mentioned in d'Artagnan's dying words: 'Athos—Porthos, farewell till we meet again! Aramis, adieu forever!'
- Porthos
Mentioned in d'Artagnan's dying words alongside Athos.
Key passages
“D'Artagnan dispatched a courier to the king to give him an account of the last success, which redoubled the good humor of His Majesty and his inclination to amuse the ladies.”
D'Artagnan sent a messenger to inform the king of his latest victory, which further lifted the king's spirits and his desire to entertain the women at court.
Highlights d'Artagnan's role in boosting the king's mood and courtly pleasures.
“D'Artagnan, intoxicated with joy, made a sign to the messenger, who approached, with his coffret in his hands. But at the moment the maréchal was going to look at it, a loud explosion resounded from the ramparts... a ball from the city crushed the coffret in the arms of the officer, struck d'Artagnan full in the chest, and knocked him down upon a sloping heap of earth.”
Overjoyed, d'Artagnan gestured for the messenger to bring the coffer, but just as he reached for it, a cannonball from the city shattered the box and struck him in the chest, knocking him to the ground.
The moment of triumph turns instantly to tragedy as d'Artagnan is fatally wounded.
“Then, clasping in his nerveless hand the baton, ornamented with its fleurs-de-lis, he cast on it his eyes, which had no longer the power of looking upwards towards Heaven, and fell back, murmuring strange words... 'Athos—Porthos, farewell till we meet again! Aramis, adieu forever!'”
Grasping the fleur-de-lis baton with his weakening hand, he gazed at it one last time, unable to look up to heaven, and fell back, whispering words that only he understood: 'Athos—Porthos, farewell until we meet again! Aramis, goodbye forever!'
D'Artagnan's final farewell to his three friends, marking the end of the four musketeers.
