Twenty Years After · Chapter
Dead Animosities explained
D'Artagnan escorts Rochefort from the Bastille to meet Cardinal Mazarin.
What happens
D'Artagnan escorts Rochefort from the Bastille to meet Cardinal Mazarin. Rochefort and d'Artagnan renew their old friendship and make a pact to help each other. Mazarin questions Rochefort about his imprisonment and seeks his loyalty, but Rochefort refuses to guard the Duc de Beaufort, claiming friendship with him. Rochefort then tells the story of the diamond studs to pique Mazarin's interest in d'Artagnan and his former comrades.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
D'Artagnan and Rochefort renew their friendship despite past enmity, making a pact to help each other.
Power and Corruption
Mazarin manipulates Rochefort with promises of freedom and position, revealing the political machinations of the court.
Revenge and Justice
Rochefort's imprisonment is revealed as a political act by the queen, and he seeks to regain his position.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Escorts Rochefort to Mazarin; renews friendship with Rochefort and makes a pact of mutual assistance.
- Rochefort
Released from the Bastille; meets with Mazarin; refuses to guard Beaufort; tells the story of the diamond studs to promote d'Artagnan.
- Mazarin
Interviews Rochefort; seeks loyal servants; shows interest in d'Artagnan after hearing Rochefort's story.
- Planchet
Mentioned by d'Artagnan as possibly leading the mob; now a citizen of Paris.
- Beaufort
Mentioned as a prisoner at Vincennes; Rochefort refuses to guard him due to friendship.
- Athos
Mentioned as a former friend of d'Artagnan; d'Artagnan claims not to know his whereabouts.
- Porthos
Mentioned as a former friend of d'Artagnan; d'Artagnan claims not to know his whereabouts.
- Aramis
Mentioned as a former friend of d'Artagnan; d'Artagnan claims not to know his whereabouts.
Key passages
“How miserable not to be free!”
It is wretched to be imprisoned.
D'Artagnan sympathizes with Rochefort's captivity.
“I had only to cry out 'Help!' for you and for your companions to be cut to pieces, and then I should have been free.”
I could have called for aid and you and your men would have been killed, allowing my escape.
Rochefort admits he considered betraying d'Artagnan but chose not to.
“I am a straightforward, simple man; that's my great disadvantage. I am of a frankness of character quite French.”
I am an honest and uncomplicated person, which is my weakness; I have the openness typical of the French.
Mazarin feigns simplicity to manipulate Rochefort.