Archetypes in the Count of Monte Cristo

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In modern times, phrases such as “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” are commonly used. Also, the mere word revenge holds negative connotations as it is seen as immature and unnecessary. The theme of revenge uses archetypes to develop ideas without having to reiterate their meaning. According to the creator of the term, Carl Jung, “archetypes are defined as being a collectively inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc., universally present in individual psyches.” (Dictionary) The Count of Monte Cristo, one of the novels that pioneer this theme, tells the story of a man’s quest for revenge on those who betrayed him. This man spends 14 years of his life imprisoned because of his betrayers, but he manages to escape to avenge his suffering. In the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas uses the archetypes of the byronic hero, the betrayer and the old sage to demonstrate that one’s suffering doesn’t give them the right to seek revenge on those who have failed them.
Dumas uses the archetype of the byronic hero to demonstrate that one’s suffering doesn’t give the right to seek revenge. A byronic hero is a protagonist that isn’t virtuous, but rather possesses many negative qualities. He is passionate about a particular issue and has intellectual capabilities that far surpass the average man. Often, a byronic hero is arrogant and self-centred. (Marinetti) In the novel, the byronic hero is portrayed by the character of the Count of Monte Cristo. The Count undertakes a quest to take revenge on those who have betrayed him. “He vowed that same implacable oath of revenge […] against Danglars, Fernand and Villefort.” (Dumas 212) The Count’s drive is the fact that he’ll get vengeance. He is so determi...

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... lack of need for it as his negative qualities seal his fate and the old sage shows the benefit of having faith and forgiving those who have betrayed them. Rather than focusing on getting revenge, one should strive to move forward with their life. All that revenge does is slow down the personal growth of an individual; the consequences far outweigh the benefits.

Works Cited

Dumas, Alexandre., and Robin Buss. The Count of Monte Cristo, Canada: Penguins
Classics, 2003. Kindle. Amazon Digital Services, Inc. Sat. Nov 24. 2013

Buss, Robin. Introduction. Preface. The Count of Monte Cristo. London: Penguins
Classics, 2003. ix-xv. Print.

Marinetti, Amelita. The French Review Vol. 50.2 (1976): 260-269. JSTOR. Web. 20 Jan. 2014

"Archetype." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 14 Jan. 2014. .

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