Kevin McAdam
AP English 11/ Mr. George
7/13/09
Count of Monte Cristo Essay: Is Edmond’s vengeance justified? Consider this question within the contexts of just retribution. Based on what he had taken from him, is what he does just?
Edmond Dantes: Hero or Villain
Edmond Dantes’ honest and noble character in “The Count of Monte Cristo” was diametrically opposed to his acts of vengeance. Edmond’s imprisonment warranted him every right to attain his vengeance. Edmond justified his deception and other uncharacteristic traits he had shown based on what was taken from him, what he did to his enemies, and how he ended up helping the lives of others throughout the novel.
Edmond had a terrific life as if he was on top of the world with blessings such as: being named captain of the Pharaon, having a beautiful fiancé, Mercedes, and being such a renowned and respected sailor, all at the age of nineteen. Edmond was correct in seeking vengeance after: losing his freedom from being thrown into prison at the infamous Chateau d’If, being unable to captain the Pharaon because of his prison sentence, losing his beloved Mercedes, and not being present at the moment of his father’s death. Vengeance came along naturally as the prison did not offer another alternative: “During these hours of meditation, which had passed like so many seconds, he had formed a terrible resolution and taken a fearful oath… His face had lost that drawn look it had worn, and instead there was a determined, almost radiant expression which clearly denoted that he had taken a resolution,” (Dumas 97). Based on Edmond’s prior experiences, he had every right in the world to do anything and everything to the three men, Danglars, Villefort, and Morcerf, who were responsible for all of his suffering. Danglars, Villefort, and Morcerf not only harmed Edmond physically, but they harmed him psychologically as well. They planted a seed of doubt in Edmond’s mind that there was no one left for him outside of his prison cell. Being in the Chateau d’If lowered the brave and proud sailor’s self-esteem to such an extent that he even dared to attempt suicide. The unfathomable physical and mental anguish that occurred inside Edmond’s prison cell during his fourteen years in captivity would be enough for anyone to crave retribution. When he finally determined those responsible for his pain, with the assistance of the Abbe Faria, payback was what gave him the strength and desire to withstand his punishment, and eventually broke out of the dark dungeon that was meant to someday become his tomb.
The manner in which Edmond achieved his vengeance truly allowed himself to prolong his enemies suffering. By merely killing Danglars, Villefort, and Morcerf, Edmond would not receive the full satisfaction that he desired from their suffering. Edmond desired to hurt Danglars, Villefort, and Morcerf in similar ways pertaining to how Edmond suffered in their hands. Edmond’s clever strategy quickly took shape as he unsuspectingly wreaked havoc on Danglars, Villefort, and Morcerf. Edmond’s most important values were defeated because he lost his faith in God while serving his prison sentence which was unjustly issued. Edmond could not believe that God would let him suffer in such a dreadful place after being such an ideal young man. Danglars lost his most significant values which were his money and his family. Edmond’s prison sentence and Danglars’ unexpected economic collapse both contributed to the two men losing more than just what they cared about most. Edmond and Danglars both lost their sanity because of what happened to each of them. Unfortunately, because of their absent-mindedness, it led them to both make an attempt at suicide. After Edmond’s daring escape from the Chateau d’If, he was abruptly struck with the news of how his fiancé had abandoned him and of his elderly father’s death. Villefort was similarly shocked with the sudden loss of his very own family members. Granted that it was not Edmond who killed Villefort’s family, it did not matter as Edmond’s dirty work was done for him and the outcome was just what Edmond desired. To make things even sweeter for Edmond, once Villefort concluded that Madame Villefort was the murderer, she killed herself along with her young son. After the many months of death in Villefort’s home, Villefort had nothing left except his father whom could only speak with his eyes. Edmond’s thirst for vengeance was nearly quenched as he continued to attack his sworn enemies. While Edmond was locked up in prison, doubt was created in the minds of more people than just him. Every day that Edmond was imprisoned, Mercedes was forced to wonder whether her fiancé was even alive or not. With a growing desire to end her solitude, Mercedes abandoned all hope of reuniting with her true love. She finally accepted her new soul mate to be the man whom she had always said she could only love as a brother, Fernand Morcerf. Edmond extracted his revenge on Morcerf in the same way that he had hurt him; by making the woman he loved abandon him. Edmond displayed to society all of the situations throughout Morcerf’s life in which he had acted cowardly and dishonorably. When Mercedes had heard of these new revelations, she knew that her son, Albert, and she could not stand to live under the same roof or carry the same name as her husband any longer. Edmond had struck revenge towards those who deserved to be reprimanded for their actions, but nevertheless, he did some good in helping those who needed it during his trek for justice.
Following Edmond’s escape from the Chateau d’If, he took on a less forgiving persona which contributes to his demand for reparations from Danglars, Villefort, and Morcerf. However, at certain moments during Edmond’s rage, we are able to see through his vengeful mind-set and witness aspects of his truly compassionate and kindhearted being. Overall, Edmond was a naturally good human being, and we see those superior characteristics in how he helps many of the people that he came in contact with, aside from those whom he strived to destroy. In the Chateau d’If, Edmond gave the Abbe Faria a newfound motive to survive, escape his cell, and go on to live a free and healthy life. Edmond was like a son to the Abbe Faria: “‘you are my son, Dantes. You are the child of my captivity. My profession condemned me to my celibacy, but God has sent you to console the man who could not be a father, and the prisoner who could not be a free man,’ ” (114). Edmond’s companionship relieved the Abbe Faria of the loneliness. Edmond’s generosity also stretched out to some of the people in the families he had sought out to destroy. When Madame Morcerf came to Edmond and revealed to him that she was actually Mercedes, he agreed to let her son, Albert, go free and said he would not harm her son in the duel that was to take place. Instead, his honorable and dignified character was what almost determined his death, “You cannot suppose I have the least desire to live after I have been publicly humiliated… challenged by a mere child who will glory in my pardon as in a victory?” (473). Edmond’s true characteristics were shown when he gave his assistance to people like the Abbe Faria and Mercedes because it proves that Edmond was not as ruthless as he was depicted in the novel. Edmond simply wanted to serve justice to those responsible for his pain by making them suffer the same way he did.
Edmond Dantes was such a bright and distinguished young man with an excellent future. When he was arrested, everything had been taken away from him, including his promising future. Edmond ruined the lives of his sworn enemies in the same way that they had ruined his own life. Edmond decided that the best means for justice to be served would be an eye for an eye. The drastic change in Edmond’s character makes his actions seem as though they were too extreme and unjust. However, deep down, Edmond’s noble spirit was always still there as he did many good deeds for others throughout the novel. With someone as noble and honorable as Edmond, he never would have acted on his vengeful feelings if he was not going to ultimately serve justice.