Revenge in The Count of Monte Cristo Essay

Set in France during the turmoil of the Napoleonic Era, The Count of Monte Cristo is based on revenge. Alexander Dumas uses brilliant language and great characters in order to show the plot and form a masterpiece. Falsely accused of treason, Edmond Dantes, was arrested on his wedding day and imprisoned on the island fortress of the Chateau d'If with no hope for release. Dantes is the victim of the envy of Danglars, the lust of Fernand, and the political ambition of Villefort. The selfishness of these three men separate Dantes from all that was precious to him. Fighting off thoughts of suicide, Dantes suffers through years of horrible conditions in the dungeon. After a dramatic escape, he discovers a marvelous treasure revealed by the Abbe Faria, an inmate in the dungeons. Possessing great riches, important friends, and immense knowledge, Edmond Dantes sets out to destroy the lives of those who dashed his bright future. He believes he is God's agent, "An Angel of Providence," through whom just punishment is delivered to those who have sinned.

Once out of prison, Dantes formulates a plan to destroy the lives of those who ruined his life. Disguised as the Count of Monte Cristo and the Abbe Busoni, he carefully makes acquaintances with the families of his enemies and the enemies themselves. His victims are made responsible for bringing about their own downfall and their fate is a punishment for crimes they have committed against moral and social law, not for what they once did to Edmond Dantes. Danglars is punished for his financial opportunism, Fernand for betraying the Ali Pacha, and Villefort for applying the law without mercy. Monte Cristo, as the agent of Providence, remains neutral, refuses to intervene, and settles for laying traps in which his prey entangle themselves through greed or ambition.

It is only when Villefort has gone mad, Morcerf has committed suicide, and Danglars is financially and socially destroyed, that Monte Cristo understands that he is not the privileged instrument of God's providence but a victim of fate like all others. Only then does he abandon his obsession of revenge and realize his mistake. The crimes of Madame de Villefort and the death of Edward, which he had not foreseen, teach him that fate is beyond control and finally sicken him. Recognizing his error, Dantes forgives Danglars when he could have easily ended the horrible man's life. His spiritual re-birth creates a memorable ending to a great story.

Dantes' moral reconciliation brings a happy ending to a masterfully written novel and is of great significance to the work as a whole. It completes the heroic character of Monte Cristo, who already possessed physical strength, great knowledge, endless resources, and the ability to punish the wicked, by giving him the essential ability to pardon. It also demonstrates that no one can distinguish between anger and justice and that Providence alone should have the power to punish the wicked. While plotting the downfall of his enemies Dantes was chained to the destiny of his mission. An outsider, he did not allow himself to become emotionally attached to anyone. Even when he took the terrible toll of those who wronged him, he remained unfulfilled. Only after he regrets his actions, does he finally start to live his life again. Everyone feels the need for revenge but many times people go beyond the limit. Only the truly great can give up hopes of vengeance and pardon their enemy. Monte Cristo's ultimate victory is not the defeat of his enemies but the spiritual reassessment which enable him to rejoin the human race and sail away in hope.