Originally published in 1844, the many incarnations of the three musketeers have embedded into our collective unconscious the image of three men in plumed hats, raising their swords while a fourth, d artagnan, cries, all for one, and one for all. The three musketeers purports to dramatize some significant events from the reign of louis xiii the action begins in 1625 and ends three years later but although many of its. Later, france and england would renew their rivalry, but not during the time period in. Being a huge musketeer fan, and a swashbuckler writer myself, i feel the need to weigh in a little. Peters basilica in the film, right after luther hammers his 95 theses to the door. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. He wrote at a speed that pretty much precluded reflection, precision. Malone though the three musketeers was a fictional story, much of the history portrayed in the novel remains true to historical account. The three musketeers, by richard pevear the new york times. The three musketeers bantam classic mass market paperback june 1, 1984.
The story was drawn from a number of original historical sources, including les. Lots of historical novels do something similar, of course. This study guide consists of approximately 103 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the three musketeers. The three musketeers, a 1954 bbc adaptation in six 30minute episodes, starring laurence payne, roger delgado, paul whitsunjones and paul hansard. Set in 16251628, it recounts the adventures of a young man named dartagnan after he leaves home to travel to paris, to join the musketeers of the guard. How historically accurate is alexandre dumas novel, the. As a historical novel, the three musketeers organizes its story around some of. As a historical novel, the three musketeers organizes its story around some of the major characters and events of 17th century french history. How accurately did dumas portray cardinal richelieu. The three musketeers penguin random house secondary. Although dartagnan is not able to join this elite corps immediately, he befriends the three most formidable musketeers of the ageathos, 908.
Later, france and england would renew their rivalry, but not during the. Years after, the sequel to the three musketeers is the greatest french novel. The three musketeers, published in 18441845, is typical of dumass works. In genre, the three musketeers is primarily a historical novel and adventure. The major historical figures in the novel are all more or less accurate, in terms. The three musketeers, a 1966 bbc adaptation in ten 25minute episodes, directed by peter hammond and starring jeremy brett, jeremy young, and brian blessed. The three musketeers is a historical adventure novel written in 1844 by french author. His eventual friendship with the preeminent musketeers of the age athos, porthos, and aramis ensnares him in plots of intrigue, romance, and a daring rescue. But again, its neither history nor an accurate retelling of the novel. Of the three musketeers after whom the novel is named, suffice it to say that they are entirely fictional creations with real names attached, and if they are ever historically accurate it is only by accident. Bbcs the musketeers just aired its third episode last night, and i feel like thats a good enough sample size to gives some thoughts on the show.
However dumas also frequently works into the plot various injustices, abuses and absurdities of the ancien regime, giving the novel an additional political aspect at a time when the debate in france between republicans and monarchists was still fierce. His famous novels are highly adventurous and i wouldnt expect much more than romanticized historical settings in any of them. His work ignored historical accuracy, psychology, and analysis, but its thrilling. Im not qualified to say if this is an accurate translation but is certainly an. The musketeers adapted from alexandre dumas novel les trois. Ironically, the memoires are, in fact, historically based. While following dumas through the initial scenes and the general plot. Overall, i enjoyed reading this book, but not to the extent that i expected. The era and the characters are based on historical fact, but the glittering. Most of the historical events such as charles execution are compressed for the sake of drama. I have to admit to not having read anything by alexandre dumas at all. Yet, before reading the book i could not have named the three athos, porthos, and aramis or given any account of what the musketeers actually did.
He took the name of sieur of artagnan from a property his mothers family owned. The three musketeers, by richard pevear the new york. Buy the three musketeers musketeers cycle by alexandre dumas, lawrence. I was such a fan of dumass other work, the count of monte cristo, that when the idea presented itself to me, i was eager to jump into this adventure, as well. Actually, during 1625, france was engulfed in the thirty years war with the holy roman empire, not england. Illustrated edition set in early 17th century france, the three musketeers chronicles the adventures of a young man named dartagnan and his quest to join king louis xiiis elite musketeers of the guard. But i must admit that i had never read the three musketeers before our book club. Historical account accuracy within the historical fiction novel by. Back last may bbc released their teaser images for the musketeers and i was fairly disappointed. The novels conflict between france and england is historically inaccurate.