Tim Rezendes
AP Language and Composition
Mr. George
July 15, 2009
Revenge is Sweet
Revenge is something that we as humans feel we are obligated to do when someone wrongs us. Whether it is Edmond Dantes swearing revenge on all who have forsaken him or Lil’ Wayne saying that he is going to shoot someone in his rap songs, it is all revenge nonetheless. Revenge comes about when someone has wronged you in some way, shape, or form; the action of another justifies ones revenge and, therefore, justifies Edmond’s revenge. The Count of Monte Cristo’s revenge is justified because of the wrongs done to him by his peers, the disgrace of his name, and by the lavish lifestyles that were gained by those who should have been severely punished.
When somebody does something that you deem as unjust there is always an opportunity to return the favor, revenge. The first two people to wrong Edmond Dantes were Danglars and Fernand Mondego. Danglars and Fernand were always jealous of Edmond; Danglars for his soon to be captain position on the Pharaon and Fernand for his betrothal to Mercedes. Acting out of anger and jealousy towards Edmond, Danglars wrote a letter which denounced Edmond as a Bonapartist agent and Fernand posted the letter. The second person who wronged Edmond Dantes was Monsieur de Villefort, the Procurer Du Roi. Monsieur de Villefort is the one
responsible for making judgments on the sentencing of criminals; he is the one who sentenced Edmond Dantes to life in prison. Villefort deserves to be punished by Edmond because he told
Edmond that he would help him due to the fact that he knew Edmond was only the messenger not the Bonapartist. Monsieur de Villefort betrays Edmond Dantes when he says “Give me your word of honor that you will appear directly you are summoned to do so, and you may rejoin your friends” (Dumas 50). Directly following this statement Edmond is captured and taken to prison and the Chateau D’ If. Due to the imprisonment of Edmond Dantes, his name was disgraced.
The name of Edmond was disgraced because of his imprisonment and his denunciation as a Bonapartist. When Edmond escaped from prison he could no longer use the name Edmond Dantes, he was known only as the Count of Monte Cristo. If Edmond went by his birth name he would have run the risk of being put in jail again due to Edmond’s numerous enemies. Edmond’s father was forced to suffer due to the imprisonment of his son. He died a slow painful death of hunger because he did not let anyone see him. Edmond had to avenge the death of his father in order to feel as though his father did not die in vain. After Edmond Dantes was long forgotten the people who disgraced him were able to make a massive fortune when they should have been made to suffer because of their actions.
Danglars, Fernand, and Villefort were able to become rich beyond their wildest dreams and live the life they always wanted even though they caused an innocent man to suffer a life in prison for fourteen years. Edmond Dantes had every right to ruin the lives of those who ruined his. Edmond Dantes wanted an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Fernand even married Mercedes, the woman who was most important to Edmond Dantes. Fernand along with Danglars and Villefort deserved everything that happened to them. What goes around comes around; there
is no way that Danglars, Fernand, and Villefort should have been able to live with no consequences of what they did. If Edmond did not punish the three men then nobody would
have, they would have been allowed to live with no consequences although they destroyed the life of not only Edmond, but Mercedes as well.
Edmond Dantes was entitled to his vengeance. His revenge was justified because of the wrongs done to him by his peers, the disgrace of his peers, and the lavish lifestyles that were gained by those who should have been punished. Although Edmond could have been the bigger man in the situation and been happy with his liberty but that does not change the fact of justification. Justification and morally correct are two different things and Edmond Dantes’ actions were most definitely justified. In the end the good side prevailed and evil was defeated. In the end there was a happy ending, for once.
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