We return to the plot of The Three Musketeers, when Athos acquaints the readers with the tale of his former wife. At this point, D'Artagnan's paramour has been abducted, which makes him deeply distressed. When D'Artagnan meets up with Athos, he speaks of the tragedy, which Athos seems to think is very insignificant. D'Artagnan inturn accuses Athos of never having been in love, and so Athos tells D'Artagnan 'a real love story' which happened to a 'friend'.
This 'friend' of Athos' was a young nobleman who fell in love with an enchanting 16 year-old girl. As she seemed to be of a good family, the nobleman married her. One day when the couple were out hunting, the wife fell from her horse. Since she needed air, the husband riped open her clothes, only to find that she had been branded with a *fleur-de-lis. The husband, being enraged, hanged his wife upon inferring the betrayal. Once Athos has finished his tale, he forgets to continue on with his work of fiction and says "That cured me of handsome, poetical, loving women" (Dumas, 251).
In Athos' tale lies once again the theme of pride and vengeance; and neither D'Artagnan nor Athos himself seems troubled by the 'husband's' retaliation. Yet there is a hint of irony once again; the woman whom has been abducted, D'Artagnan's lover, is already married to another. The two men do not seem to have trouble with D'Artagnan having relations with her, which proves that Athos' act of murder was a matter of pride. Any misfortune unrelated to the musketeer or his comrades doesn't seem to sway him in the least.
What I have observed in many novels written in this era is that their characters feel passionately, but do not always think rationally. When love, adventure, and pride enter the scheme, nothing, and no one else seems to matter. As the seventeenth century was a passionate time period, gossip and secrets were constantly drifting in the atmosphere. There seemed to be a lack of trust and constant suspicion conveyed toward every acquaintance. It must have been difficult to uphold this constant distrust, and so what would occur when something or someone appealing, even lust-worthy was thrown one's way? All common sense would be disposed of, and one may very well have let down their guard at the most inept time.
This is where rationality should introduce itself. No one can be suspicious all the time, as they are bound to weary. However, they must consider when the most risky time is, and who is the most suspicious. Only in this way, can one in that time period reduce the risks of their passion. It is because D'Artagnan does just this, that he is the most perceptive in his group of comrades. D'Artagnan is of a noble heart, and rarely considers making blind accusations, and so only when someone subtly demonstrates their deceptive nature, does D'Artagnan commence an interrogation.
* Fleur-de-lis: While the symbol of the fleur-de-lis is often one of royalty, when it is branded on human skin, it is a standard mark of criminals and, in this case, prostitutes.
Excellent connections to other texts you have read. I like that you have defined terms within each post - to help your reader understand the 'parts' within the connections you are making. Good use of summary to begin, as it also assists those readers that perhaps have only ever seen the pop culture versions of the story.
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