Apologia

What makes many of Alexandre Dumas' works, especially The Three Musketeers, so eternal in the guise of classic literature? To be certain, The Three Musketeers was not an entirely original composition on Dumas' part. D'Artagnan is based on a real individual, better known as Comte Charles de Batz-Castelmore D'Artagnan. This man rose to the level of captain-lieutenant of the musketeers. Dumas wasn't even the first to romanticize the life of Comte D'Artagnan, he in fact got his inspiration from Gatien de Courtilz de Sandraz's novel Les Mémoires de M. d'Artagnan (1 eNotes). So what made Dumas' novel more pronounced in the literary world than Sandraz's? To find the answer, one needs to meditate on Dumas' life.

Dumas was not initially as successful in writing as one might presume. Dumas began his literary career writing plays, such as The Chase and Love, and Tales of Today, many of which did not recieve much audience or recommendation. After his play Henri III and his Court entered the theatre though, Dumas' future plays reaped more success (xxiv Oxford's World Classics). Dumas attempted many literary mediums such as short stories, essays, children's tales, plays, and novels. Perhaps this is what aided him in finding his writing niche.

While Dumas' novels are historically fictitious, many of them coincide with his own life experiences. Analyzing the character of Porthos alone, it's hardly difficult to identify Dumas' disposition in him. Both eat copiously, and have a number of liaisons with women. Catherine Labay, Adele Dalvin, Ida Ferrier, Lola Montes, Isabella Constant, Emilie Cordier, and Belle Krelsamer are only a few of Dumas' documented mistresses (Oxford's World Classics xxv). It's not surprising that Dumas lived his life thously, as he himself was born out of wedlock (3 Biography.com). Dumas was also one for reveling in a life of extravagance, and more than once, as a consequence, became broke by it. (7 Biography.com). This occurs to D'Artagnan and the musketeers multiple times, for they are also quite fond of indulging in the 'good life'. Miraculously though, they always contrive a plan to get around the conflict.

Dumas formulated a way around this conflict too: he began writing novels, some of which were serialized in magazines such as The Count of Monte Cristo (Oxford's World Classics). Some individuals create their best compositions under pressure, especially when their livelihood depends on it. For a novel to be considered a 'classic', one must feel as though the author is truly dedicated to their story; Dumas undoubtedly was in his circumstances.

What has made The Three Musketeers truly a renowned classic is that, while it deals in humour, it also addresses the struggles of the daily life of a considerable number of people in the 17th century which still resonates today. There are the royals; celebrities with great scandals; the loyal and valiant musketeers; our modern day soldiers; Milady; any form of con artist; and the lover of D'Artagnan; Mme. Bonacieux; the symbol of naivety in any conflict. For a novel to be defined as a classic, it must have a sense of eternally being valid to the society who reads it. The great struggles demonstrated in The Three Musketeers are not much different from present day issues.

The musketeers are by far the most prominent of all the comparisons. Most musketeers and modern soldiers are relatively young people; D'Artagnan joins M. Desessarts' Guards at the age of 19. There is this lack of fear of dying in battle that pertains to both the musketeers, and modern soldiers. Youth often also have an instinctual opinion that it is better to die stoicly in action, than old and decrepid on a bed. For example, D'Artagnan shows no ounce of fear when he schedules three duels with men all of higher ranking, and experience. Although these youth seem valiant, there is still a fear amongst these individuals. To lose one's vigour, and die alone often seems immenent to youth, as it is very difficult for them to grasp what their future truly holds. D'Artagnan strives to become a musketeer, but otherwise lives life in the moment what with his multiple confrontations, and financial struggles.

Then there are more broad comparisons. Everyone struggles with fighting their pride, resisting taking vengeance, being rational, and not becoming overly passionate. These recurring struggles allude to weakness, which Dumas abruptly turns around with his humour and the plot line. D'Artagnan exhibits all of these traits as he searches for the Man of Meug, insists on having a duel with anyone who mildly offends him, and has an affair with a married lady. These negative aspects each of the musketeers refuse to resist,and are what get them into and out of calamities. However, it is always apparent to the reader that having this demeanor is not typically advantageous, as the antagonists attempt thriving off that same resistance. The Man of Meung initiates duels with D'Artagnan over pride, and nearly gets killed by it. Milady feels enraged when D'Artagnan discovers a fleur-de-lis on her shoulder, and poses as a man she is infatuated with. It is apparent D'Artagnan could easily ruin Milady's future plans if she becomes on bad terms with him. However, Milady feels a great need to avenge her pride, and on multiple occasions tries to kill D'Artagnan.

Not only is The Three Musketeers still relevant over 100 years later, it also re-establishes forgotten moral beliefs of the general population. While the musketeers are far from being saintly, they hold one of the greatest values of all close to them; loyalty. In this way, readers continue to comprehend, and relate to the novel. They can also recall a moment full of nostalgia when they and their comrades too went off gallivanting on gripping adventures and believed in all for one, and one for all. This is what makes The Three Musketeers a classic; its compassion perpetually resonates from generation to generation.

So why did Dumas' novel seem to triumph over Sandraz'? Both are semi-fictional. The big difference between the two is that Sandraz' novel is written in first person (1 Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras). Part of what makes The Three Musketeers so engaging is Dumas' added commentary to the tale. There are little interjections hear and there, such as "This, reader, is a mousetrap!" (The Three Musketeers 114); every now and then Dumas addresses the reader directly. Sometimes the only difference between being successful and not is adding personal touch.