The Man in the Iron Mask Family

Family in The Man in the Iron Mask does not present a reliable bond. In many ways, friends are more important than family in The Man in the Iron Mask. An exception to this claim, however, concerns Athos and his close relationship with his son, Raoul.

Questions About Family

1. What, if anything, can we glean about Anne of Austria's feelings for her son, Philippe? (You might want to re-read Chapter Twenty-Four: The False King.)
2. Of the four Musketeers, only Athos has a child. How does this lack of posterity affect the dynamic among the Musketeers and their various personalities, if at all?
3. Re-read the face-off between King Louis and Philippe. How would you characterize the dynamic between the two brothers?

Chew on This

Coming face-to-face with his twin was exactly the kind of shock Louis needed to begin instituting absolute rule.