Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas Term Paper

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This discovery was maliciously divulged by the Cardinal Richelieu, who wanted to bring disgrace to the Queen as his way of scheming against King Louis XIII's leadership in France. Adultery was a practice acknowledged to occur rampantly but done with discretion, because this remains a taboo in 17th century society, wherein the novel was set. That is why the Musketeers deemed it necessary that in order to help the Queen 'save face' from potential embarrassment, they must be able to re-procure the diamonds the Queen had given her lover, which the Cardinal maliciously requested the Queen to wear in a social, public function for the King. As reflected in the novel, the apparent disquiet that this revelation about the Queen's extra-marital affair was explicated by Dumas in the novel: "...the redness of the queen's eyes donated that she had been sleepless or tearful. But this last circumstance was not striking, as the queen since her marriage had slept badly and wept much."

By accomplishing the task of restoring the Queen's honor by re-procuring the jewels she gave her lover, d'Artagnan was accomplishing the principles he had lived by as a member of a noble and respectful company. In this particular instance, romantic chivalry occurred because of the congenial relationship between the Queen and the Musketeers. The act of 'saving' the Queen was a gesture made by the Musketeers out of their respect for her, and their willingness to go on a mission for her was a reflection of their willingness to help redeem the honor that could be lost as a result of Cardinal Richelieu's malicious intent ("...the queen...whom the cardinal persecutes..."). Collington (2002) agreed that incidences in the novel, such as the saving of the Queen's honor from the shame of her adultery, reflected the combination of "great love story, heroic adventure, and political intrigue" that Dumas' novels, such as "Musketeers" were known for (113).

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Romantic chivalry was also evidenced in the love affair between d'Artagnan and Constance. The "great love story" element that Collington explicated earlier became most relevant in the case of Constance, since the concept of romantic chivalry was illustrated through the love that both characters have for each other. Because of their love, it is not surprising then that d'Artagnan would aspire to save Constance in the hands of Milady and Cardinal Richelieu. In this case, however, chivalry's cause was changed from well-meant act of redemption to a special mission, which is to save Constance from the danger that the Cardinal and Milady posed for her. This special mission was interpreted as an event wherein "one member of a team has a cause, a cause for which he must risk his life. His friends join him, and in turn risk their lives, not because they share a belief in this cause, but because they are loyal to him" (Fromkin, 2006:20).

Lastly, the act of chivalry differed when the Musketeers dealt with Milady, wherein there was a shift from romantic to rational chivalry. Dumas' description of Milady's character reflected her tenacity as an offender and criminal, which allowed the Musketeers to become more antagonistic with her: "Milady was like a good general who contemplates at the same time victory and defeat, and who is quite prepared, according to the chances of the battle, to march forward or to beat a retreat." Chivalry became rational, in this case, because the Musketeers knew that Milady was a ruthless enemy, and that their act of 'saving' her was an act of 'redemption,' wherein they rescued her from further commitment of crimes and offenses. Her death, in turn, became the Musketeers' redemption from the offensive acts they have committed to an unfortunate female like Milady......

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