So: Athos was about to be executed via firing-squad. D'Artagnan and Porthos would have been hanged. Why?
My (also only patchy) knowledge of other time-periods (and countries) is that death by firing squad was somehow more honourable and seen as a true soldier's death, unlike hanging which was for everyone. Was that also true for France at that time? If yes it does explain d'Artagnan as he wasn't a Musketeer at the time and also why the ripped off Porthos' emblem/badge before. But still: why? Porthos and Athos were both accused of cold-blooded murder totally unconnected to anything they did as soldier so where's the difference? Is there another answer than racism? (Or plot-convenience because the writers considered on the one occasion the firing-squad and on the other the gallows more dramatic?) Or has it to do with Athos being judged directly by the king as the matter had been brought before him?
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timeasmymeasure
Execution-methods & background
Date: 2014-03-24 06:21 pm (UTC)So:
Athos was about to be executed via firing-squad. D'Artagnan and Porthos would have been hanged.
Why?
My (also only patchy) knowledge of other time-periods (and countries) is that death by firing squad was somehow more honourable and seen as a true soldier's death, unlike hanging which was for everyone. Was that also true for France at that time? If yes it does explain d'Artagnan as he wasn't a Musketeer at the time and also why the ripped off Porthos' emblem/badge before.
But still: why? Porthos and Athos were both accused of cold-blooded murder totally unconnected to anything they did as soldier so where's the difference?
Is there another answer than racism? (Or plot-convenience because the writers considered on the one occasion the firing-squad and on the other the gallows more dramatic?)
Or has it to do with Athos being judged directly by the king as the matter had been brought before him?