Count Of Monte Cristo Revenge Quotes

In the novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, the main character, Edmond Dantes, faces an injustice that transforms his compassion into cruelty. Taking place during the downfall of Napoleon, the novel illustrates the power of status, wealth, and political opinions in French society through Edmond Dantes’ misfortunes and victories. After withstanding fourteen years in the Chateau’ d’If prison and acquiring an immense fortune, Dantes begins his plot for revenge. The Count is completely justified in this revenge because he is able to expose the true nature of his enemies and manipulate them to their ultimate downfall.

The Count of Monte Cristo gives his old friend, Caderousse, three chances to prove his worthiness and gain forgiveness,

but Caderousse ultimately fails due to his own greed. In the beginning, Caderousse has the benefit of knowing Edmond Dantes’ betrayers but remains silent out of fear of being accused as a guilty accomplice.

The Count excuses Caderousse for “only letting things take their course” and explains that “a man who can accuse himself...deserves to be forgiven” (105). Dressed as a priest, the Count gives Caderousse his first chance and displays considerable kindness to the man in belief that God has chosen to grant forgiveness to his old friend. To award Caderousse for demonstrating honesty and sympathy, the Count gives the poor man a diamond. The Count justifies this action by explaining he is a firm believer that “sooner or later, the good are rewarded and the wicked are punished” (97). Even after fourteen years in prison, the Count has chosen to give Caderousse a second chance, showcasing the acts of decency left in his heart full of vengeance. Soon after, however, Caderousse’s gluttony leads the Count’s new found trust to be taken advantage of when a surge of his greediness leads to the death of two innocent people: the diamond appraiser and Caderousse’s wife. After being caught for these crimes, Caderousse is sent to prison. The Count continues on his trek to reward the good when he bails Caderousse out of jail, giving him

chance number two.

The trust is broken for a third time when a young man, Benedetto, informs Caderousse of the immense fortune his friend, the Count of Monte Cristo, holds. Caderousse easily gives in to his weakness, exposing the true vulnerability that lies beneath the scoundrel, and breaks into the Count’s house. Once again dressed as the priest, the Count reacts to Caderousse by exclaiming, “I see you’re still the same, Monsieur Caderousse the murderer” (334). In this moment, the Count is clearly expressing his mistake in trusting Caderousse again. In a moment of absolute fear and selfishness, Caderousse attempts to stab the priest. This is the breaking point for the Count where he decides Caderousse’s fate by stating “I want what God wants” (338). Soon after, Caderousse is stabbed by a vengeful Benedetto waiting outside. The Count promptly and with passion justifies his decision in declaring, “When you betrayed your friend, God began, not to strike you, but to warn you,” and continues to explain the chances Caderousse is given, “when God sent you a fortune...that unexpected fortune wasn’t enough for you...and by what means? By a murder...God had given you a second chance...and you committed a third crime, without reason, without

excuse. God finally became weary and punished you” (341-342). Ultimately, Caderousse’s death is due to a series of his own poor decisions. It may be argued that the Count’s original choice to bail Caderousse out of jail is unjust, seeing that the lowlife commits two murders. However, the Count’s conscience leads to his decision to free Caderousse, and this is justified by his original vow to reward the good. But in the end, Caderousse’s original honesty is taken over by an immense greed ultimately leading to his own downfall. Caderousse becomes a murderer and a crook, therefore justifying the Count’s actions in “punishing the wicked”.