Question

The following question references the novel The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

D'Artagnan doesn't notice Kitty's interest in him. Dumas writes with regard to this that "He who hunts the eagle heeds not the sparrow." What is Dumas saying with this phrase? Who is the eagle, and who is the sparrow?

Answer 1

In the phrase "He who hunts the eagle heeds not the sparrow," Alexandre Dumas conveys the idea that someone who is focused on a grand or significant pursuit (the eagle) is likely to overlook or disregard smaller or less important matters (the sparrow). In this context, D'Artagnan is preoccupied with his ambitions and goals—his desire to become a musketeer and prove himself—making him oblivious to Kitty's affections for him.

In this analogy, D'Artagnan represents the eagle, as he is pursuing a lofty and noble ambition in the world of the musketeers. Kitty, on the other hand, symbolizes the sparrow, whose affections and interests are overshadowed by D'Artagnan's focus on his larger goals. This highlights a common theme in the novel regarding the complexities of love and ambition, illustrating how the pursuit of one's ambitions can sometimes lead to the unintentional neglect of personal relationships.