Characters

By: Mr. Malone

The Musketeers of Dumas’ novel were based on a real sword-wielding force whose aim was to protect the King of France. The Musketeer characters, however, were fictionalized for the novel. D’Artagnan, Athos,

Athos, Aramis, d'Artagnan, and Porthos

Porthos, and Aramis were not real people, according to historical account. According to History Revealed, the novel’s musketeers were based on real Musketeers that served in the 1640s (15 years after the novel takes place).

Aside from the title characters, most other characters in the novel were real and acted in the same manner in which they are described in various historical accounts. King Louis XIII, Cardinal Richelieu, and Queen Anne all existed during this historical time period.

King Louis XIII

King Louis XIII served as King of France from 1610 to 1643 and would have been 25 years old during the novel’s setting. Since he was a young king, Cardinal Richelieu influenced his decisions heavily, though in reality, the Cardinal persuaded King Louis to start a war against the Holy Roman Empire, not with England as the novel suggests.

Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu, who served as Chief Minister to the King starting in 1624, actually used questionable political ethics to gain political power, just as the novel implies. He was notorious for his ambition in politics; however, historical accounts suggest that he was fiercely loyal to King Louis XIII (not against the King, as the novel describes). Another accurate depiction between the novel and historical accounts revolve around the real character, Monsieur de Treville, who actually tried to assassinate Cardinal Richelieu in 1642.

As in the novel, Queen Anne wanted her husband (King Louis XIII) to dismiss Cardinal Richelieu because he supported countries that fought against her native Austria.

Overall, the three main historical accuracies lie with King Louis XIII, Cardinal Richelieu, and Queen Anne; the Three Musketeers were fictionalized, but their exploits were based on real people.