# Athos — The Three Musketeers character guide > Athos in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. **Role:** major **Also known as:** M. Athos, Monsieur Athos, the Comte de la Fère **First appearance:** 0004-iii-the-audience ## Snapshot A Musketeer of noble bearing who drinks in silence and never speaks of his past, yet commands the respect of every man in the regiment. ## Who they are Athos conceals a family name and a wound beneath the manners of a great lord, presiding over wine and heraldry with equal ease. D'Artagnan admires him above the others, drawn to flashes of greatness that break through his deliberate gloom. His buried history makes him the story's moral center, and the one whose judgment the young Gascon trusts when everything else is uncertain. ## Relationships ### [Aramis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/aramis) _friendship_ Aramis and Athos are close fellow Musketeers, bound by deep loyalty and brotherhood. ### [Cardinal Richelieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/cardinal_richelieu) _rivalry_ Athos opposes Cardinal Richelieu as a loyal Musketeer, though they share a grudging mutual respect. ### [Milady de Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/milady_de_winter) _psychological_ Athos was once married to Milady and is horrified to discover she is a murderess, leading to a toxic obsession and hatred. ### [Constance Bonacieux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/constance_bonacieux) _friendship_ Athos respects and protects Constance as a fellow ally in the Musketeers' cause. ### [Planchet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/planchet) _professional_ Planchet is d'Artagnan's servant, but Athos treats him with camaraderie and shared duty. ### [Duke of Buckingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/duke_of_buckingham) _friendship_ Athos aids the Duke of Buckingham as an ally of the queen, respecting his courage. ### [Grimaud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/grimaud) _professional_ Grimaud is Athos's silent and devoted servant, communicating through gestures. ### [Aramis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/aramis) _friendship_ Aramis and Athos are close fellow Musketeers, bound by deep loyalty and brotherhood. ### [Aramis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/aramis) _friendship_ Aramis and Athos are close fellow Musketeers, bound by deep loyalty and brotherhood. ### [Planchet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/planchet) _professional_ Planchet is d'Artagnan's servant, but Athos treats him with camaraderie and shared duty. ### [Milady de Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/milady_de_winter) _psychological_ Athos was once married to Milady and is horrified to discover she is a murderess, leading to a toxic obsession and hatred. ### [Cardinal Richelieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/cardinal_richelieu) _rivalry_ Athos opposes Cardinal Richelieu as a loyal Musketeer, though they share a grudging mutual respect. ## In the story ### [Author's Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/author-s-preface) Name found in the manuscript Memoirs of the Comte de la Fère. ### [The Three Musketeers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/the-three-musketeers) One of the three musketeers, known for his noble bearing and mysterious past. ### [III: The Audience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/iii-the-audience) Enters wounded after the fight with the Cardinal's Guards, displaying calm dignity despite his injury. ### [IV: The Shoulder of Athos, the Baldric of Porthos and the Handkerchief of Aramis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/iv-the-shoulder-of-athos-the-baldric-of-porthos-and-the-handkerchief-of-aramis) Wounded and dignified, he challenges D'Artagnan to a duel after being violently struck on his injured shoulder. ### [The Kings’s Musketeers and the Cardinal’s Guards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/v-the-kings-s-musketeers-and-the-cardinal-s-guards) Waits for the duel, wounded but fights valiantly, changes to left hand, and accepts D'Artagnan's help. ### [His Majesty King Louis XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/vi-his-majesty-king-louis-xiii) One of the three Musketeers; present at the audience and acknowledges D'Artagnan's rescue of him from Cahusac. ### [VII: The Housekeeping of the Musketeers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/vii-the-housekeeping-of-the-musketeers) A melancholic gambler who never borrows money and pays debts promptly; rumored to have suffered a great betrayal in love. ### [Concerning a Court Intrigue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/viii-concerning-a-court-intrigue) Supports the group financially for a time and later meets d'Artagnan on the stairs during the chase after the man of Meung. ### [IX: d’Artagnan Shows Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/ix-d-artagnan-shows-himself) Remains taciturn but observant; approves of D'Artagnan's actions; joins in the oath. ### [XI: In Which the Plot Thickens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xi-in-which-the-plot-thickens) Arrested in d'Artagnan's place, he nobly sacrifices his freedom to give d'Artagnan time. ### [Monsieur Bonacieux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xiii-monsieur-bonacieux) Appears briefly during the interrogation, expressing annoyance at Bonacieux's lamentations. ### [Men of the Robe and Men of the Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xv-men-of-the-robe-and-men-of-the-sword) Arrested and held in Fort L'Évêque; remains calm and indifferent throughout his imprisonment. ### [Plan of Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xix-plan-of-campaign) Receives his leave of absence and agrees to follow D'Artagnan, proposing the plan to travel together. ### [The Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xx-the-journey) Captured at an inn after fighting off attackers; sacrifices himself so D'Artagnan can escape. ### [The Wife of Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxvii-the-wife-of-athos) Barricaded in the cellar of an inn, he holds the innkeeper hostage by refusing to leave, demonstrating his stubbornness and pride. ### [The Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxviii-the-return) Hosts the council at his residence, recalls his drunken confession from the previous night, and suggests using d'Artagnan's ring to fund their outfits. ### [Hunting for the Equipments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxix-hunting-for-the-equipments) Refuses to take any steps to equip himself, preferring to seek a fatal quarrel if necessary. ### [XXX: Milady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxx-milady) At home in the Rue Férou, drinking wine; he listens to D'Artagnan's plans but declines to join the ride to St. Germain, expressing cynicism about women. ### [English and French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxi-english-and-french) Warns D'Artagnan against pursuing Milady, citing his own bitter experience with women. ### [In Which the Equipment of Aramis and Porthos Is Treated Of](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxiv-in-which-the-equipment-of-aramis-and-porthos-is-treated-of) Hosts the weekly meeting of the four friends; remains philosophically detached, advising only when asked twice. ### [XXXV: All Cats Are Grey in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxv-all-cats-are-grey-in-the-dark) Listens to D'Artagnan's account and recognizes the sapphire ring as a family jewel, reacting with shock and anger. ### [How, Without Incommoding Himself, Athos Procures His Equipment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxviii-how-without-incommoding-himself-athos-procures-his-equipment) Receives D'Artagnan; confirms Milady is his branded former wife; agrees to accompany D'Artagnan; decides to pawn his sapphire ring. ### [A Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxix-a-vision) Warns d'Artagnan about the possible snare; notices a second head in the carriage and proposes a guard plan. ### [A Terrible Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xl-a-terrible-vision) Approves d'Artagnan's refusal but hints at possible consequences. ### [The Siege of La Rochelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xli-the-seige-of-la-rochelle) Referenced indirectly through D'Artagnan's recollection of Athos's prediction about finding Madame Bonacieux. ### [The Anjou Wine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlii-the-anjou-wine) Doubts Milady's involvement but advises confronting her; suggests waiting for an opportunity to meet her. ### [The Sign of the Red Dovecot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xliii-the-sign-of-the-red-dovecot) Leads the musketeers in the encounter with the cardinal, recounts the quarrel at the Red Dovecot, and maintains a haughty demeanor. ### [The Utility of Stovepipes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xliv-the-utility-of-stovepipes) Overhears the cardinal's conversation with Milady through the stovepipe and decides to leave to prepare for the group's safety. ### [XLV: A Conjugal Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlv-a-conjugal-scene) Confronts Milady, reveals his identity as the Comte de la Fère, and forces her to hand over the cardinal's signed order. ### [The Bastion of Saint-Gervais](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlvi-the-bastion-of-saint-gervais) Orchestrates the wager to breakfast in the bastion for private conversation; leads the group with calm authority. ### [The Council of the Musketeers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlvii-the-council-of-the-musketeers) Leads the council and the defense of the bastion; reveals he has seen Milady and proposes warning Lord de Winter. ### [XLVIII: A Family Affair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlviii-a-family-affair) Reveals himself as Milady's husband, confirming her branding and marriage. ### [Officer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/li-officer) Advises d'Artagnan and Aramis to keep the letter secret from the cardinal, demonstrating his pragmatic and cautious nature. ### [LX: In France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lx-in-france) Insists the four friends travel together, warning of the danger from Milady; obtains extended leave from Tréville. ### [LXI: The Carmelite Convent at Béthune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxi-the-carmelite-convent-at-b-thune) Recalled by Milady as her husband, the Comte de la Fère, and as d'Artagnan's friend, whom she hopes to involve in her vengeance. ### [Two Varieties of Demons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxii-two-varieties-of-demons) Mentioned as one of the four men to be feared. ### [The Drop of Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxiii-the-drop-of-water) Reveals that Milady is his wife, takes charge of the situation, and comforts D'Artagnan with the promise of vengeance. ### [The Man in the Red Cloak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxiv-the-man-in-the-red-cloak) Leads the pursuit of Milady with cold determination, organizing the lackeys and seeking out a mysterious ally. ### [Judgment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxv-judgment) Leads the tribunal against Milady, revealing himself as the Comte de la Fère, her former husband. ### [Execution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxvi-execution) Leads the judgment, pardons Milady for the wrongs done to him, and ensures the execution is seen as justice. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxvii-conclusion) Supports d'Artagnan, refuses the commission, and comforts him with philosophical advice. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/epilogue) Remains a musketeer under D'Artagnan until 1633, then retires to a small property in Roussillon. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/athos - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters