# Monsieur Bonacieux — The Three Musketeers character guide

> Monsieur Bonacieux in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bonacieux, M. Bonacieux, poor Bonacieux

**First appearance:** 0011-x-a-mousetrap-in-the-seventeenth-century

## Snapshot

Paris landlord and Constance's husband, whose greed and terror make him a pawn tossed between the queen's friends and the cardinal's agents.

## Who they are

Bonacieux rents rooms to d'Artagnan and profits from proximity to the queen's intrigue, but his courage collapses the moment danger touches him. His marriage to Constance is less a partnership than a leash he yanks whenever money or safety is at stake, and his willingness to sell anyone for a quiet life makes him useful to powerful men. He matters because his betrayals and panic keep exposing the conspiracy d'Artagnan is trying to protect.

## In the story

### [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)

The host of the Jolly Miller; he initially refuses to help d'Artagnan but later searches for the lost letter after being threatened.

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

Visits d'Artagnan to confide that his wife has been abducted, suspecting a political plot involving the queen and the Duke of Buckingham.

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

Bursts in seeking help from the musketeers; is handed over to the guards by D'Artagnan's stratagem.

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

Mentioned as having been taken to the Bastille the previous evening.

### [Monsieur Bonacieux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xiii-monsieur-bonacieux)

The mercer is arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned; he reveals his cowardice and confusion about his wife's actions.

### [The Man of Meung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xiv-the-man-of-meung)

Brought before the Cardinal, interrogated about his wife's activities, and ultimately made a spy.

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

Now a cardinalist, having been swayed by Richelieu and Rochefort; he refuses his wife's request, showing cowardice and avarice.

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

Conspires with the man of Meung to betray his wife's mission, then raises an alarm when he discovers the missing money.

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

Engages D'Artagnan in conversation, showing nervousness about his wife's whereabouts.

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

D'Artagnan notices his muddy shoes and evasive lies, concluding he helped abduct his own wife.

### [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)

Seen at the door of the Rue des Fossoyeurs, looking hatefully at D'Artagnan; revealed to have visited Milady's house and to be spying for her.

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

Lives quietly, unaware of his wife's fate; after reminding the cardinal of his existence, he disappears, presumably imprisoned.

## Links

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