# Dead Animosities explained — Twenty Years After

> Chapter companion for Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/iii-dead-animosities
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters