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Foreshadowing
Explanation and Analysis—Masked Man:
In Chapter 64, Athos recruits a masked man in a red cloak to go after Milady with him and his companions. The man's striking appearance and the dramatic irony surrounding his identity foreshadow his significant involvement in Milady's downfall:
A quarter of an hour later [Athos] returned, accompanied by a masked man wearing a big red cloak.
Lord de Winter and the three other musketeers looked at each other questioningly. None of them knew who the man was, but they did not doubt that Athos had a good reason for bringing him.
The man turns out to be the brother of another man Milady manipulated. That man found himself unwittingly drawn deep into criminal behavior, and he eventually died by suicide. His brother, who also happens to be an executioner, is an old acquaintance of Athos. As a matter of honor, Athos has recruited him to share in the group's revenge against Milady.
Of course, none of the others know this backstory yet. Nor does the reader. However, the musketeers and Lord de Winter trust that Athos knows what he is doing. As for the reader, literary conventions suggest that this man will turn out to be important. For one thing, his mask suggests that at some point, there will be an unmasking. His "big red cloak" suggests that his character is wrapped in both blood and revenge. Indeed, this man ends up beheading Milady in a highly dramatic and disturbing strike of the sword.
The dramatic irony in this moment not only builds suspense, but it also demonstrates the deep sense of camaraderie and brotherhood that is driving the characters onward in their battle against Milady. The original band of "three musketeers" has grown to encompass d'Artagnan and even Lord de Winter. Now, yet another man is joining their ranks. Most of the characters do not even need to know the details of each other's quarrels with Milady to join forces. They are almost startlingly eager to bond with their fellow men over mutual hatred of a woman. The severity of the crimes they know Milady has committed is enough to convince all of them that she has surely committed more atrocities.
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