The Three Musketeers · Character

Porthos

A giant Musketeer with a taste for gold chains and grand titles, whose vanity is as transparent as glass and whose loyalty is just as clear.

major

Also known as M. Porthos, Monsieur Porthos, the Baldric of Porthos

First appearance: III: The Audience

As a major figure in The Three Musketeers, Porthos is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Name found in the manuscript Memoirs of the Comte de la Fère.

In the storyAuthor's PrefaceOpen this moment free

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Porthos invents baronesses and borrows finery to keep up appearances, yet he is the first to empty his purse for his friends and the last to flinch in a fight. His strength is proverbial among the Musketeers, and his…

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See Porthos in III: The Audience

Character Web

24 connections

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Other

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Antagonists and Allies
Secondary and Incidental Figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter marks the dramatic climax because Milady achieves a psychological breakthrough, successfully brea…

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In the story

Porthos appears across 36 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Author's Preface
Name found in the manuscript Memoirs of the Comte de la Fère.
The Three Musketeers
A musketeer characterized by his love of fine clothes and good living.
The Antechamber of M. de Tréville
A tall musketeer with a magnificent baldric, boasting about its cost and engaging in banter with comrades.
III: The Audience
Defends the Musketeers' actions to Tréville, explaining the circumstances of the fight.
IV: The Shoulder of Athos, the Baldric of Porthos and the Handkerchief of Aramis
Vainglorious and sensitive about his baldric, he is enraged when D'Artagnan exposes its false gold front.
The Kings’s Musketeers and the Cardinal’s Guards
Fights Bicarat, receives a thrust through the arm, and jests during the combat.
His Majesty King Louis XIII
One of the three Musketeers; present at the audience with the king.
VII: The Housekeeping of the Musketeers
Vain and indiscreet, he boasts of his successes and lives in a sumptuous apartment, but his real wealth is unknown.
Concerning a Court Intrigue
Also supports the group financially and loses money at the gaming table. He meets d'Artagnan on the stairs during the chase.
IX: d’Artagnan Shows Himself
Initially confused by D'Artagnan's ruse; grumbles but ultimately swears the oath.
Plan of Campaign
Initially questions the mission but agrees to join, contributing to the discussion of the travel plan.
The Journey
Mentioned as having been left behind earlier; his horse is used but later injured.
Porthos
Found in bed recovering from a duel (claims a knee strain); admits losing his money and horse at dice; awaits funds from his mistress.
The Return
Shares his financial situation after giving away his horse and paying for Mousqueton's wound, and later proposes an idea to raise money.
Hunting for the Equipments
Actively pursues his idea of obtaining equipment by flirting with a lady in church, leading to a confrontation with Madame Coquenard.
English and French
Present during the aftermath of the duel and the discussion of the purse.
A Procurator's Dinner
Visits the procurator's wife for dinner, hoping for a lavish meal and financial support, but is disappointed by the meager fare and stingy household.
In Which the Equipment of Aramis and Porthos Is Treated Of
Hints at a lady of elevated rank relieving his financial embarrassment; later confronts Madame Coquenard about the poor horse and mule, securing a promise of proper equipment.
A Vision
Proud of his new horse; eager for a skirmish and to display new equipments.
A Terrible Vision
Supports d'Artagnan's decision to refuse the cardinal's offer.
The Anjou Wine
Proposes carrying Constance off from the convent after the siege; breaks the poisoned bottles.
The Sign of the Red Dovecot
Accompanies Athos and Aramis; admits to striking a brigand with a bench during the quarrel.
The Utility of Stovepipes
Plays dice with Aramis while Athos investigates the stovepipe; later listens to the conversation.
XLV: A Conjugal Scene
Plays dice with Aramis while awaiting the cardinal, and later confirms Athos's return to the cardinal.
The Bastion of Saint-Gervais
Twists his mustache and agrees to the bet; shows concern about lacking muskets.
The Council of the Musketeers
Proposes killing Milady directly; participates in the battle and praises Athos's generalship.
XLVIII: A Family Affair
Boasts of Mousqueton's strength; present during the planning and revelation.
Officer
Comments on the siege and the hanging of a spy, showing his characteristic bluntness and humor.
LX: In France
Travels with the group; jokes about Aramis's cousin and comments on d'Artagnan's buzzing ears.
Two Varieties of Demons
Dismissed as a fool and not worth troubling about.
The Drop of Water
Weeps at Constance's death and assists in caring for D'Artagnan.
The Man in the Red Cloak
Present with the others, preparing for the expedition.
Judgment
Serves as a witness and judge, confirming the accusations against Milady.
Execution
Present as one of the musketeers during the execution.
Conclusion
Declines the commission, planning to marry his wealthy duchess.
Epilogue
Leaves the service and marries Madame Coquenard, inheriting a fortune of eight hundred thousand livres.

Chapter companion notes

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See Porthos in III: The Audience

See Porthos in Author's Preface