The Man in the Iron Mask

What is the main conflict in The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas?

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Throughout the novel, there are continuous conflicts between friends, lovers, family members, and rulers and their underlings. The primary conflict that D'Artagnan faces is the treachery of his friends, Aramis and Porthos. D'Artagnan loves his friends, and cannot bring himself to hurt them, yet he has a duty to King Louis XIV. D'Artagnan must struggle to reconcile his feeling for his friends with what honor requires him to do. The musketeers' motto, "All for one, one for all," prevails for D'Artagnan, who refuses to lift a finger against his friends. The king also has a conflict with his family members, primarily Philippe, his twin brother who has been locked away in the Bastille. Philippe, with Aramis' help, attempts to take the throne from his brother, but fails. Philippe is conflicted in his feelings for his brother and for his mother, Anne of Austria, who knows that her son is locked away and will not help him. The king is also involved in a love triangle with his mistress, Louise la Valliere, and her former lover, Raoul. Raoul still loves Louise, and would rather die than be without her. When he dies in battle, Louise is distraught and knows she drove him to it, even though she believes she truly loves the king. The many relationships in conflict throughout the novel are responsible for creating the primary plot of the novel, as characters struggle against what they want and what they believe they should do.

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The Man in the Iron Mask