Twenty Years After · Chapter
XI: How d'Artagnan, in Discovering the Retreat of Porthos, Perceives That Wealth Does Not Necessarily Produce Happiness explained
D'Artagnan visits Porthos at his château Bracieux, finding him wealthy but unhappy.
What happens
D'Artagnan visits Porthos at his château Bracieux, finding him wealthy but unhappy. Porthos, now a widower with forty thousand francs a year, laments his solitary life and lack of adventure. D'Artagnan recruits him for the cardinal's service, promising a barony, and Porthos agrees, eager for action.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Ambition
Porthos's desire for a barony and d'Artagnan's ambition for land and wealth drive their actions.
Friendship and Loyalty
The reunion of d'Artagnan and Porthos highlights their enduring bond, though loyalty is now tied to political service.
Poverty and Suffering
Despite Porthos's wealth, he suffers from loneliness and lack of purpose, illustrating that riches do not guarantee happiness.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Visits Porthos to recruit him for Cardinal Mazarin's service, promising a barony.
- Porthos
Wealthy but unhappy widower living at Bracieux; agrees to join d'Artagnan for the promise of a title.
- Mousqueton
Present at the château, wiping his eyes at d'Artagnan's arrival.
- Athos
Mentioned as living near Blois under the name Bragelonne; said to have adopted a young man.
- Aramis
Mentioned as having become a Jesuit monk; declined d'Artagnan's offers.
- Rochefort
Mentioned as having spoken of Porthos to the cardinal.
- Mazarin
The cardinal whom d'Artagnan represents; seeks to recruit Porthos.
Key passages
“Ah! how delightful to see you again, dear friend! you've not then forgotten me?”
Porthos joyfully greets d'Artagnan, expressing relief that their friendship endures.
Porthos's emotional welcome underscores his isolation and longing for companionship.
“I am not happy.”
Porthos confesses his unhappiness despite his wealth and possessions.
This line encapsulates the chapter's theme that material wealth does not bring contentment.
“I shall fight heart and soul for Mazarin; but he must make me a baron.”
Porthos agrees to serve Mazarin on the condition of receiving a barony.
Porthos's ambition for a title motivates his decision to re-enter political and military life.