We live in a society where revenge is considered an action that must never be executed, as it defies the humanitarian tenets of benevolence and togetherness. But where are these tenets when one wrongs the other? Revenge is an action performed to retaliate against an individual or circumstances due to the harm they inflicted. Essentially, revenge is not right or wrong, it is merely an outburst of hurt and resentment when justice has not been served. A wise person has affirmed, “Sometimes you have to give people a taste of their own medicine.” This statement looks into the idea of how people who have hurt others need to be served the same obnoxious experience, so that they can understand how it felt. The whole ideology behind revenge is ingrained in the notion of cognizance and for future generations to learn how to behave with others.
The same can be learnt from great tales of vengeance like The Count of Monte Cristo – a classic work of literature that beautifully weaves a tale of betrayal, redemption and realisation- all emerging from the abyss of revenge.
The Story
The Count of Monte Cristo is a riveting novel that tells the story of Edmond Dantes. A young and promising sailor of nineteen years, he is wrongfully imprisoned due to the jealousy and ambitions of two young men – Fernand Mondego, who fancies Edmond Dantes finance, Mercedes; and Danglars, who envies Dantes’ rapid growth and success in the sailing industry. Their wrongful accusation of Dantes and the selfish interest of Gerard de Villefort, a public prosecutor, leads to the imprisonment of Dantes in the torturous and inhuman Chateau d’If prison, without any due trials.
During the harrowing 14 years of imprisonment, Edmond Dantes befriends Abbe Faria, another inmate, who is knowledgeable, resourceful and lonely. Their friendship is rooted in mentorship, unwavering compassion and trust. The Faria educates Dantes with the whereabouts of a hidden treasure on the island of Monte Cristo. Soon after the Abbe’s death, Dantes formulates a plan to escape the prison, obtain the treasure and plot revenge towards all who wronged him. After taking on the name of Monte Cristo, he proficiently camouflages himself amidst his adversaries and steadily yet effectively shatters their arrogance, while bestowing rewards to individuals who supported him during his arduous times. As we look at the character of Edmond Dantes, we find that for him, revenge was truly justified.
Fernand Morcerf
Fernand can be identified as a character who used love as a catalyst for his immoral actions. He envied Dantes’ relationship with Mercedes and sought to ruin their chances by framing him for treason. But he did not stop there. His jealousy might have led to hard feelings against Dantes, but his profound ambition drove him to commit other acts that show the shallowness of this character who goes by the name of Count de Morcerf when Dantes returns to the Parisian society twenty-four years later. The incident of Fernand murdering his benefactor is known as the Ali Pasha affair and is brought into the limelight by the Count of Monte Cristo, thus shattering the glass image of Count de Morcerf in the Parisian society.
This leads to a the gut-wrenching feeling of despair and he ends his life by shooting himself.
Fernand’s jealousy had led to Dantes undergoing immense hardship, encompassing the death of his father, the loss of his beloved Mercedes and the throwing away of his fourteen years in an invincible & unreasonable prison. Through this act of revenge, the reader can learn that there are innumerable situations where we may not always get what we want, but that must not be the incentive towards impairing someone else. Therefore, Edmond Dantes’ revenge on Fernand was completely justified, as in a bid to acquire happiness for himself, Fernand had ruthlessly stripped away all the joys of Dantes.
Villefort
As one delves into the character of Villefort, one understands that he was an opportunist, manipulative and ruthless fellow. Driven by ambition, when he sees that Dantes may pose a risk to his career, he wrongfully allows the accusation of treason to stand against Dantes, locking him up in the harshest prison for a lifetime. His selfish act leads to Dantes being reduced to an animal- like existence in the Chateau d’If. This was just one of many horrific acts performed by Villefort. A few more among the others included being unloyal to his wife, having an affair with Madame Danglars and attempting to bury his child alive.
Villefort had the power and influence as a public prosecutor, but instead of helping people, he made use of their situations to take advantage of them. Why not teach such a person a lesson in their own course?
The reader does nothing but applaud when Edmond Dantes uses his wealth and influence to create a situation where Villefort’s past sins come to limelight in his very own court where he sits as the judge. The social backlash that would follow such a scandal weighs on his mind, already sullied with guilt and he goes mad. Ergo, revenge was vital, to ensure that the French Society had one less corrupt individual governing them.
Danglers
Last of the three is Danglers- the professional nemesis of Dantes. Dantes’ revenge on Danglars is justified, as he was the primary instrument behind fabricating the false accusation that led to Dantes’ unjust imprisonment. Stimulated by jealousy and ambition, Danglars purposefully frames Dantes to eliminate him as an adversary for the title of ship captain. This betrayal leads to fourteen years of imprisonment and crumbles all chances of a good life for Dantes.
When Dantes becomes the Count of Monte Cristo, he beautifully devises a plan, which strips Danglars from his greed and envy. This, for a retributive justice – those who do evil will suffer, is rationalized as Danglars’ avaricious nature had previously led to Dantes’ undergoing a punishment which he didn’t deserve. The readers can think of this concept as an ‘eye for an eye.’ Danglars wrongful actions of distancing Dantes from his family, success and love find an echo in his own life after 24 years when Danglers is left shattered, lonely and penniless on deserted streets.
In conclusion, revenge has been used in innumerable ways throughout history, from literary devices like revenge tragedy, to political ideologies like revanchism, to cultural idioms accentuating intense emotions. But in the end, I believe that revenge undeniably is justified as long as there is an evident case of injustice. One shouldn’t inflict revenge if it can be sorted through forms of healing or forgiveness, but of course if one has undergone a similar situation as Edmond Dantes, then I believe that revenge is a good way out. Therefore, regardless of your emotions, you must be careful about the way you treat people. What you do, tends to have a funny way of coming back.
Writer : Aarna Sharma
Grade : 8 (Year 2025)
Place : Sydney, Australia
