1. Count of Monte Cristo Comparison Essay Class Notes

2. 1a) Edmond Dantes  Characteristics: patient, fearless, rich, smart – due to the priest, sneaky  Summary: A poor sailor, wrongly imprisoned for sending a letter to a traitor. A poor sailor, wrongly imprisoned for sending a letter to a traitor. Escaped from prison thanks to the Abbe Faria, who helped him dig a tunnel under their cells for 9 years. Escaped from prison thanks to the Abbe Faria, who helped him dig a tunnel under their cells for 9 years. While in prison he learned to read, write, and fight. While in prison he learned to read, write, and fight. When Abbe Faria died after the tunnel collapsed, he gave Edmond a map to the treasure of Monte Cristo. When Abbe Faria died after the tunnel collapsed, he gave Edmond a map to the treasure of Monte Cristo. After switching himself for Abbe Faria’s body, Edmond washed up on a nearby shore where he met Jacopo and became a smuggler for 9 months. After switching himself for Abbe Faria’s body, Edmond washed up on a nearby shore where he met Jacopo and became a smuggler for 9 months. Jacopo and Edmond found the treasure and used it for his revenge – he created a new name for himself and used the money as bribes. Jacopo and Edmond found the treasure and used it for his revenge – he created a new name for himself and used the money as bribes. In the end he got everything he had lost (son, best friend – in Jacopo, wife, money, success). In the end he got everything he had lost (son, best friend – in Jacopo, wife, money, success).

3. 1b) Fernand Mondego  Characteristics: idiot, terrible person, shit disturber, back stabber, greedy, jealous, heavy drinker, cheater, whore/player, sneaky, dumb but he ain’t stupid, self centered  Summary: Was always jealous of Edmond’s girl, success, and honour – for Edmond was a nobody with everything and Fernand was a somebody with no happiness. Was always jealous of Edmond’s girl, success, and honour – for Edmond was a nobody with everything and Fernand was a somebody with no happiness. Framed Edmond for having the letter, he was behind the plot to send Edmond to jail. Framed Edmond for having the letter, he was behind the plot to send Edmond to jail. Married Mercedes one month after Edmond went to jail, and raised ‘his son’. All the while cheating on Mercedes and continuing to be a criminal. Married Mercedes one month after Edmond went to jail, and raised ‘his son’. All the while cheating on Mercedes and continuing to be a criminal. Gambled his money away, and lost his credit with the banks (Edmond paid them off). Gambled his money away, and lost his credit with the banks (Edmond paid them off). He killed the Magistrates father, which is what led to him being arrested. He killed the Magistrates father, which is what led to him being arrested. Thought that he was stealing from the Count of Monte Cristo, and has his pride taken away when he learns it is really Edmond. Thought that he was stealing from the Count of Monte Cristo, and has his pride taken away when he learns it is really Edmond. After Fernand shoots Mercedes; he flees but returns because he could still not let Edmond win. Ultimately Edmond stabs Fernand, killing him. After Fernand shoots Mercedes; he flees but returns because he could still not let Edmond win. Ultimately Edmond stabs Fernand, killing him.

4. 1c) Jacopo  Characteristics: loyal, respectful, sharp, excellent knife skills, loyal friend/servant.  Summary: Smuggler who tried to steal gold and then he crew attempted to bury him alive. Smuggler who tried to steal gold and then he crew attempted to bury him alive. Edmond saved his life when he convinced the smugglers not to kill Jacopo. Jacopo pledged his life to Edmond in return. Edmond saved his life when he convinced the smugglers not to kill Jacopo. Jacopo pledged his life to Edmond in return. Helps Edmond find the treasure, tried to convince Edmond that he did not need revenge. Helps Edmond find the treasure, tried to convince Edmond that he did not need revenge. Jacopo helps Edmond with his revenge, his deals, works as his servant/friend. Jacopo helps Edmond with his revenge, his deals, works as his servant/friend. Jacopo brings Mercedes to Edmond in an attempt to help them ran away. Jacopo uses his knife throwing skills to deflect the bullet that Fernand tried to kill Mercedes with so it only hit her shoulder. Jacopo brings Mercedes to Edmond in an attempt to help them ran away. Jacopo uses his knife throwing skills to deflect the bullet that Fernand tried to kill Mercedes with so it only hit her shoulder. Jacopo continues to live with Edmond and his family as their servant/friend. Jacopo continues to live with Edmond and his family as their servant/friend.

5. 2a) Revenge  Why: Fernand – told the magistrate about the letter, ran off with his girlfriend. Magistrate – put him in Chateaux D’if, burnt the letter as evidence, told Mercedes that Edmond was dead. Sailor – ratted him out to the police for the letter. Mercedes – married the guy that betrayed him after a month.  Who: Mercedes (wanted to), Fernand, Sailor, Magistrate  How: Fernand – stabbed him, took his money, and his family. Magistrate – put him in the Chateaux D’if. Sailor – had him arrested. Mercedes – did not get revenge, forgave her and marry her.

6. 2b) Freedom  Escape from Prison: Abbe and Edmond dug a hole in the floor of the cell. Also switched bodies with Abbe when he died. He killed the guard of the prison that was torturing him while in prison.  Escape while in Prison: Carved the religious saying “God will give me justice” in the wall. Learned how to read, math, how to fight, write  Freedom from needing Revenge: Edmond never excaped his need for revenge until he fulfilled it.

7. 2c) Imprisonment  Life in Prison: one meal of soup a day, whipped every year on his anniversary, dark room without a bed, one window, no outside contact  How it changed Edmond: Smarter, tougher, twisted after leaving – angrier, he was a bomb. Obsessed with revenge.

8. 2d) Betrayal  Why: Fernand – jealous that Edmond was happy and had nothing; while Fernand had everything and was unhappy. Magistrate – his dad was the betrayer in the letter that Edmond had to give. Mercedes – was pregnant, needed to get married.  How: Magistrate – told Edmond that he was free and safe, then put him in prison. Fernand – set him to prison and married Mercedes. Mercedes – married his best friend that betrayed him.  Result: Fernand – killed him. Magistrate – sent to prison. Mercedes – forgiven