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Chapter 30
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Three Musketeers, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Friendship and Loyalty
Honor
Class and Power
The Secrets of the Past
Seduction and Romance
Summary
Analysis
Everyone shows up for the duel behind the Luxembourg at the appointed time. The Englishmen are annoyed by the manners of the Frenchmen because Athos, Porthos, and Aramis refuse to give their real names. Eventually, all three Frenchmen whisper their real names in their respective opponent’s ear. After Athos whispers his real name, he warns his opponent that he’ll have to kill him.
Historically, it was important for people to know the identities of the men they were dueling so they would know if the duel was worth their time. This is why the Englishmen are annoyed by their French counterparts. However, they should’ve left the issue alone because, as it turns out, they’ve only made matters worse for themselves.
Themes
The duel starts and the musketeers quickly take the upper hand. D’Artagnan disarms his opponent, Porthos wounds his, Aramis’s runs away, and Athos kills his as promised. At the end of the duel, D’Artagnan spares Lord de Winter’s life because of his interest in Milady. Lord de Winter is impressed with the musketeers and so he gives them some money that belonged to his dead soldier. Although d'Artagnan is willing to accept the money, Athos insists that they cannot keep it because to do so would be dishonorable. Instead, he gives the money to the Englishmen’s servants.
Once again, the musketeers win the duel handily, suggesting that Lord de Winter and his men are not close to their skill level. The duel marks a change in Lord de Winter’s attitude toward d’Artagnan. Before he thought d’Artagnan was a disrespectful youth, but now he sees him as a full-fledged man who is worthy of respect.
Themes
Literary Devices
While conversing with Lord de Winter, d’Artagnan manages to secure an invite to Milady’s residence. Lord de Winter tells him to stop by later in the evening. This excites d’Artagnan who is eager to get closer to Milady, even though he realizes that she works for the cardinal. As planned, Lord de Winter and d’Artagnan arrive at Milady’s residence in the evening and she welcomes them in. However, Milady appears upset when she learns that d’Artagnan spared Lord de Winter’s life during their duel. D’Artagnan takes note of her odd reaction.
D'Artagnan gets even more than he bargained for out of the duel. He now knows where Milady lives, which is sure to come in handy. However, Milady’s response to the result of the duel is troubling. Although she may not like her brother-in-law, her reaction to his continued existence suggests something much more sinister than d’Artagnan ever imagined.
Themes
When d’Artagnan gets Milady alone, he tries to learn everything he can about her and flirts with her constantly. He learns that she married Lord de Winter’s younger brother and had a child with him. However, her husband is now dead. At the end of the night, d’Artagnan leaves. On his way out, he is ogled by a maid who is clearly interested in him. However, d'Artagnan is too blinded by Milady to notice. Over the next several nights, d’Artagnan continues to visit Milady. Each time, the result is the same. Milady doesn’t appear to be interested in d’Artagnan, but her maid certainly does.
Although d’Artagnan has not lost sight of his true mission, there is no doubt that he is infatuated with Milady. Meanwhile, he fails to notice that yet another woman—one who could provide him with a bevy of information—is interested in him. Romance, then, can blind a man to his own best interests.
Themes
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