A review by dyno8426
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

5.0

The Three Musketeers is almost universally known as a classic example of friendship, loyalty and comradeship, even by those who haven't read it. We have the protagonist d'Artgnan and the trio of Athos-Porthos-Aramis who serve under the king as musketeers in his guard and their adventures consist of thwarting the attempts of the cardinal, the political mastermind working to gain power in the king's regime. I liked the historical placement of the story in the mid-1700s, during the conflict between England and France. Our heroes are shown fighting with bravery, patriotism and swordsmanship, always loyal to the kind and ruthless on any force which can assist the cardinal in any manner. With the narrative style and English typical of classics around this time, and filled with witty humor, it is a pleasure to read. But reading it what struck me was that how this story is a perfect example of romance in literature. The characters from this story are the original, model "romantics". Romance is an amalgamation of both love/devotion and pursuit. Without pursuit, love degenerates from romance to the whims of chance/fate, one-sided obsession, or temporary attraction. Romance gives dynamism and an active character to the dimensions of what is considered as love. It generally bases itself on a relentless pursuit towards some aim, the path to which is conventionally never trivial and full of the worldly challenges, manifested mainly by powers higher than the participants of love. And the characters of this book here are infected by romanticism in their own peculiar ways. Our musketeers are constantly pursuing the missions assigned to them in their omnipresent loyalty to their nation and its royalty who are material of its honor, they do so without any care whatsoever to the dangers it contain, neither do they think twice before plunging into odds thousands to one against them. Their gentlemanly honor and lifestyle defines their thoughts and actions, and even in areas like expenditure and appearance, practicality is abandoned with pleasure to maintain character. Then comes the political powers which are fighting against each other - to the cardinal and the Duke of England, no end is extreme enough to display/avenge their love for the queen of France; the wars which will cause thousands to die appear trivial on the personal romantic affairs of the two leaders. And finally, Milady, the memorable villain, is in constant service to the cardinal. What she worships above all is the evil that commands her, so much so that even the cardinal occasionally ends up fearing her. Her pursuits are super-human in their extremes and the she craves from the pleasure that performing vileness inspires in her. In all our romantic characters, whatever comes in the way, is an obstruction to be handled and cared for the least, whereas they bask in the future pleasure of achieving their desired aim. Their characters then start getting idealized due to the purity of their passions and become exemplary with beauty and glory. A good romance makes the readers engrossed in the same passion which uplifts their characters. It takes no time when the extremities of duels, wounds and death become commonplace in front of the characters and the challenges they are required to scale. This book is very enjoyable and leaves you with the satisfaction characteristic of a classic read.