This comedy-adventure is one of several adaptations of
                                Alexandre Dumas' classic novel.  The provincial
                                swordsman, D'Artagnan travels to Paris to follow in his
                                father's footsteps and become a member of the king's
                                guard.  Meanwhile the king's royal advisor, Richelieu
                                with the help Captain Rochefort, has disbanded the
                                king's body guards.

1.  Who is the King in d'Artagnan's France?  What is he like?

2.  According to Dumas, who actually "controlled" the kingdom,
and how is he described / illustrated in the story?

3.  How does Dumas portray court life and politics in 17th century
France?

4.  d'Artagnan's king is one of the best examples of the
development of a system of "divine right" monarchy.  In what
ways is this shown in the film?

5.  a.  What is life like for d'Artagnan and his friends?

     b.  What is their social position?

     c.  What is their job?

6.  Why is dueling important in d'Artagnan's life?   Why do you
think people of his time used it?

7.   a.  What was the role of the church in France at the time this
      story takes place?

      b.  What was the relationship between Catholic and Protestant in
      17th century France?  How does Dumas' story make this clear?

8.  The saying, "All for one, and one for all," is identified
specifically with the Three Musketeers stories.  What does it
mean?  How is is applied in the story?

9.  List seven (7) values that you could attribute to the Musketeers.

        10.  Evaluate the statement that follows.  Does this aptly describe the
        story, or is there a deeper explanation to what is being portrayed in
        the film?  Explain your evaluation. . .

               The Musketeers are a bunch of drunken bums, always
                getting into trouble, and acting the part if gigolos --
                asking for and expecting money and jewels from the
                rich married ladies they court.  The king is an idiot. The
                quest that the Musketeers go on is a farce that they
                take quite seriously.  They are defending the honor of
                the queen who has been flirting with the prime minister
                of France's greatest enemy, England; and although they
                are the "king's" musketeers, they are working for the
                queen against the king.
 

                      The History of Dumas' Musketeers
                            http://www.hoboes.com/html/FireBlade/Dumas/History/
 
 

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