# D'Artagnan — The Three Musketeers character guide

> D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** d'Artagnan, M. d'Artagnan, D'Artagnan, the Gascon, the young Gascon

**First appearance:** 0002-i-the-three-presents-of-d-artagnan-the-elder

## Snapshot

An eighteen-year-old Gascon on a bony yellow pony rides into Paris with his father's letter, a long sword, and a temper that draws blood before breakfast.

## Who they are

D'Artagnan arrives in 1625 wanting a Musketeer's cloak, and within days he has offended three of them and scheduled duels with each. His hooked nose, quick pride, and Gascon cunning make him both ridiculous and dangerous, and his stubborn loyalty once given is absolute. Through him the reader enters a Paris where a duel, a stolen diamond, or a queen's glance can topple a ministry.

## In the story

### [Author's Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/author-s-preface)

Mentioned as the author of the Memoirs that the narrator discovers.

### [The Three Musketeers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/the-three-musketeers)

Introduced as the young, ambitious Gascon who arrives in Paris seeking to become a musketeer.

### [The Three Presents of d’Artagnan the Elder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/i-the-three-presents-of-d-artagnan-the-elder)

Arrives in Meung on a yellow Béarn pony, bearing a letter from his father to M. de Tréville; quick-tempered and proud, he challenges a stranger who mocks his horse.

### [The Antechamber of M. de Tréville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/ii-the-antechamber-of-m-de-tr-ville)

Arrives at Tréville's antechamber, observes the Musketeers with a mix of fear and admiration, and reflects on his father's admonitions about the cardinal.

### [III: The Audience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/iii-the-audience)

Presents himself to Tréville, recounts the theft of his letter at Meung, and accepts the offer to join the Royal Academy.

### [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)

Impulsive and hot-headed, he carelessly offends three musketeers in succession, leading to duels and enmity.

### [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)

Arrives for the duel, chooses to fight alongside the musketeers, defeats Jussac, and feels he has entered his apprenticeship.

### [His Majesty King Louis XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/vi-his-majesty-king-louis-xiii)

The young Gascon who wounded Jussac; receives praise from the king and a gift of forty pistoles.

### [VII: The Housekeeping of the Musketeers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/vii-the-housekeeping-of-the-musketeers)

Curious about his friends' pasts, he manages his valet Planchet with a firm hand and begins his service as a cadet in the Guards.

### [Concerning a Court Intrigue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/viii-concerning-a-court-intrigue)

Feels humiliated by his inability to provide for his friends and begins planning how to use their combined strength for a greater purpose. He receives Bonacieux and learns of the queen's danger.

### [IX: d’Artagnan Shows Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/ix-d-artagnan-shows-himself)

Returns from chasing the stranger; recounts the abduction of Madame Bonacieux; devises a clever ruse to hand over Bonacieux to the guards; proposes and leads the oath 'All for one, one for all.'

### [X: A Mousetrap in the Seventeenth Century](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/x-a-mousetrap-in-the-seventeenth-century)

Rescues Madame Bonacieux from the Cardinal's agents and later creates an alibi by adjusting M. de Tréville's clock.

### [XI: In Which the Plot Thickens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xi-in-which-the-plot-thickens)

Pensive and love-struck, he dreams of Madame Bonacieux and his future, but is jolted into action by Athos's arrest.

### [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)

Informs M. de Tréville of Athos's disappearance; his alibi helps secure Athos's release.

### [Bonacieux at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xvii-bonacieux-at-home)

Mentioned as the handsome young gentleman who has captured Madame Bonacieux's heart; he is not present in the chapter.

### [Lover and Husband](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xviii-lover-and-husband)

Offers to serve the queen by traveling to London, declares his love for Constance, and hides with her from her husband.

### [Plan of Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xix-plan-of-campaign)

Takes the lead in planning the mission to London, seeking Tréville's help and rallying his friends.

### [The Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xx-the-journey)

Leads the journey to England, impersonates the Comte de Wardes to secure passage, and finally reaches Buckingham.

### [The Comtesse de Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxi-the-comtesse-de-winter)

Travels with Buckingham to London, refuses payment, and returns to Paris via relay horses.

### [XXII: The Ballet of La Merlaison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxii-the-ballet-of-la-merlaison)

Hides in a closet, receives a ring from the queen, and is later led by Madame Bonacieux.

### [The Rendezvous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxiii-the-rendezvous)

Prepares for his evening rendezvous and seeks advice from M. de Tréville.

### [XXIV: The Pavillion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxiv-the-pavillion)

Waits anxiously for Madame Bonacieux at the pavilion, discovers signs of a violent struggle, and learns from an old man that she was abducted by a tall, dark man—his recurring enemy.

### [Porthos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxv-porthos)

Seeks Tréville's advice about Constance's abduction; deduces Bonacieux's complicity; visits the wounded Porthos; learns of the cardinal's summons.

### [Aramis and His Thesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxvi-aramis-and-his-thesis)

Visits Aramis, feeling sadness over Madame Bonacieux and suspicion about Aramis's religious turn.

### [The Wife of Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxvii-the-wife-of-athos)

Determined to find Athos, he leaves Aramis and travels to Amiens, showing his loyalty and concern for his friend.

### [The Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxviii-the-return)

Returns to Paris, receives news of his acceptance into the Musketeers, and discusses finances with his friends.

### [Hunting for the Equipments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxix-hunting-for-the-equipments)

Preoccupied with finding Madame Bonacieux and with his own vanity; observes Porthos's flirtations and recognizes Milady.

### [XXX: Milady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxx-milady)

Driven by love for Constance and curiosity about Milady, he rides to St. Germain, intercepts a billet meant for de Wardes, and confronts Milady's brother.

### [English and French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxi-english-and-french)

Accepts Lord de Winter's invitation to meet Milady, becomes infatuated with her, and visits her repeatedly.

### [Soubrette and Mistress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxiii-soubrette-and-mistress)

Plots to avenge himself on Milady by using Kitty's love to gain access to Milady's chamber and impersonate the Comte de Wardes.

### [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)

Visits Athos and Aramis; observes their fortunes but keeps his own plans regarding Milady secret from Athos.

### [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)

Disguises himself as the Comte de Wardes to deceive Milady, receives her ring, and later confides in Athos.

### [Dream of Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxvi-dream-of-vengeance)

Visits Milady after receiving her letter, feigns love, and agrees to avenge her against de Wardes.

### [XXXVII: Milady’s Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxvii-milady-s-secret)

Reveals his identity to Milady, discovers her branded secret, and narrowly escapes her attack.

### [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)

Arrives at Athos's in female disguise, terrified after his encounter with Milady; reveals the fleur-de-lis brand; plans to leave for La Rochelle; agrees to help Kitty.

### [A Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxix-a-vision)

Receives two letters and resolves to attend both rendezvous; catches a vision of Madame Bonacieux in a carriage.

### [A Terrible Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xl-a-terrible-vision)

Refuses Cardinal Richelieu's offer of an ensign's commission, choosing loyalty to his friends.

### [The Siege of La Rochelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xli-the-seige-of-la-rochelle)

Survives an assassination attempt by two soldiers hired by Milady, extracts a confession, and shows mercy to the wounded attacker.

### [The Anjou Wine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlii-the-anjou-wine)

Receives the poisoned wine intended for him; narrowly escapes death; discusses Constance's rescue and plans to confront Milady.

### [The Sign of the Red Dovecot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xliii-the-sign-of-the-red-dovecot)

Mentioned as being in the trenches and unable to accompany his friends that evening.

### [The Utility of Stovepipes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xliv-the-utility-of-stovepipes)

Discussed as Milady's enemy; the cardinal agrees to have him arrested.

### [XLV: A Conjugal Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlv-a-conjugal-scene)

Mentioned as the target of Milady's vengeance and as a friend Athos defends.

### [The Bastion of Saint-Gervais](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlvi-the-bastion-of-saint-gervais)

Arrives after a night of taking a bastion; questions Athos's plan but follows along.

### [The Council of the Musketeers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlvii-the-council-of-the-musketeers)

Distressed by the news of Milady's vendetta; suggests returning to England but is dissuaded by Athos.

### [XLVIII: A Family Affair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlviii-a-family-affair)

Anxious about Milady, proposes the letter to Lord de Winter, and receives Planchet's return.

### [Officer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/li-officer)

Receives news of Constance's whereabouts from Aramis's letter and expresses his gratitude and determination to see her.

### [Captivity: The First Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lii-captivity-the-first-day)

Referenced as the primary cause of Milady's downfall, having thwarted her plans and exposed her secrets.

### [Captivity: The Fifth Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lvi-captivity-the-fifth-day)

D'Artagnan is mentioned in Milady's thoughts as one of the friends who might triumph and receive reward, fueling her desire for vengeance.

### [LX: In France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lx-in-france)

Eager to rescue Madame Bonacieux and proposes to go alone; becomes agitated upon recognizing the mysterious man.

### [LXI: The Carmelite Convent at Béthune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxi-the-carmelite-convent-at-b-thune)

Referenced as the target of Milady's vengeance, now in her power due to her successful mission against Buckingham.

### [Two Varieties of Demons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxii-two-varieties-of-demons)

Mentioned as a threat; Milady warns Rochefort about him and his friends.

### [The Drop of Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxiii-the-drop-of-water)

Devastated by Constance's death, he falls into a swoon and later vows to avenge her.

### [The Man in the Red Cloak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxiv-the-man-in-the-red-cloak)

Impatient and eager for action, he awaits Athos's orders and joins the expedition.

### [Judgment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxv-judgment)

First accuser, charges Milady with poisoning Constance Bonacieux and attempting to poison him.

### [Execution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxvi-execution)

Initially eager in pursuit, he later falters, prays, and ultimately pardons Milady, weeping for her.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxvii-conclusion)

Arrested and brought before Cardinal Richelieu, he defends his actions and receives a lieutenant's commission.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/epilogue)

Takes possession of his command as a musketeer; fights Rochefort three times and wounds him each time, eventually becoming friends.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/d_artagnan
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- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters