Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

¶ … Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas Chivalry among Men and Male-Female Relational Dynamics in "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas Nineteenth century Western literature is characterized by different themes that bring into fore ideals and principles illustrating humanism. This period marked the departure from romantic ideals to rational expression of thoughts and feelings. However, literary works such as those created by the French writer Alexandre Dumas were able to maintain a balance between the romantic and rational ideals and principles of both the previous (18th) and present (19th) centuries.

This balance of both romanticism and rationalism is evidenced in the novel, "The Three Musketeers." Written in the mid-19th century, "Musketeers" chronicled the life of the protagonist d'Artagnan and his path towards being a true Musketeer, with the help of the 'three Musketeers' Athos, Pathos, and Aramis. Prevalent among the themes tackled in the novel was the theme of chivalry, a romanticist ideal that puts importance on how males regard female members of the society.

However, the theme of chivalry was also shown to assume 'traces' of both romanticism and rationalism. That is, while chivalry was still the norm followed in the novel, this characteristic was motivated by the rational thoughts of d'Artagnan and the three Musketeers as protectors not only of the King and his family, but most importantly, of civil society from offenders and criminals. Thus, this paper discusses three (3) incidences in the novel that demonstrated these two forms of romantic and rational chivalry.

Interestingly, these incidences also reflected male-female relations, wherein romantic or rational chivalry actually depended whether the male (in this case, a Musketeer) regarded the female as a noble and respectable member of civil society. In the novel, audiences can see romantic chivalry in incidences wherein characters such as Queen Anne and Constance needed the help of the Musketeers, while rational chivalry prevailed in the Musketeers' dealings with the character of Milady, who was known to be a scrupulous, greedy, and malicious criminal.

This paper posits that the kind of chivalry among the Musketeers exemplified in the novel is dependent on male-female relations, wherein congenial male-female relations result to romantic chivalry, while antagonistic male-female relations result to rational chivalry. In order to fully understand chivalry determined in terms of romanticist and rationalist ideals, it is necessary to understand first the purpose of the existence of Musketeers.

As explicated early on in the novel, Musketeers were characterized to be noble individuals tasked to protect both kingdom and citizenry from oppressors and offenders that bring disunity and disrupt peace and order in the society.

As reminded upon by d'Artagnan the elder, one's bravery is measured for "two reasons": "the first is that you are a Gascon, and the second because is that you are my son." These characteristics of d'Artagnan as a potential Musketeer reflected the two things held most important by his society during those times, which is the honor that he brings as a Musketeer, and the noble character that was expected of him as a member of a respectable family in civil society.

Indeed, as Valiunas (2003) described d'Artagnan's character as a Musketeer in the novel, an ideal Muskteer is one who is able to live up to these principles in life, "[t]o live fearlessly, like a born warrior, is the sweetest of fates, however it might end" (30). Thus, within this context, chivalry is but a natural character developed out of the virtue of preserving one's honor and respecting other people's honor as well. Romantic chivalry occurs when this mutual relationship happens between a Musketeer and a female citizen of the society.

Rational chivalry happens when there is an antagonistic relationship between a Musketeer and a female citizen, but a Musketeer commits an act of chivalry not out of respect, but out of his need to redeem the female individual from bringing further disrespect to her name.

Using these operational definitions of romantic and rational chivalry, three instances are discussed from the texts that follow, analyzing in detail the kind of chivalry the Musketeers have exercised as they dealt with three kinds of women in the novel: chivalry for Queen Anne, Constance, and Milady. Romantic chivalry was reflected in the accomplishment of the Musketeers' role as they made it a mission to "save" Queen Anne from embarrassment and shame of being caught about her commitment of adultery with the Duke of Buckingham.

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). 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.