Pranav Kakaria

Sharon McKemie

GT ILA 7th Period

March 18, 2019

Personal Reflection

Villefort’s beliefs and actions make him one of the most important characters in The

Count of Monte Cristo. A trait that I like about him is the characteristic of admitting his

wrongdoings to the public. During the Benedetto trial, he was accused of wrapping his son “in a

towel...carried [him] out into the garden and buried [him] alive” (477). Villefort told the

presiding magistrate that the accusations were true, but then the magistrate asked if his mind was

fine. Villefort replied by saying, “My mind is perfectly lucid, your honor...I acknowledge myself

guilty of all the charges this young man has brought against me” (479). His truth was revealed to

everyone, yet he was calm and didn’t be dishonest. He hid his act for such a long time, but at that

time, he did not care enough to save his reputation. His quality of confessing his crime to

everyone even if it is too late depicts him as a significant character in the book.

On the other hand, something I did not like about Villefort in The Count of Monte Cristo

by Alexandre Dumas is being unfair to others just for personal gain and power. When Villefort

interviewed Dantés, he got to know the letter was for his father and thought this could ruin his

reputation. However, with thinking more about the issue, he came up with a way in which the

letter “may make [his] fortune instead” (30). He successfully turned a misfortune to his benefit.

By doing so, he had to send Dantés to prison. Dantés had to endure the harsh conditions when he

had committed no crime for fourteen years. By doing that, he ruined many years of Dantés’ life

and made him suffer. He only cared about his gain and ignored the harsh treatment of Dantés.
 Villefort’s actions and beliefs in The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas cause

there to be many lessons to learn from him. He had thought that he would be ruined with the

letter, but used the letter to “make [his] fortune instead” (30). and gain power in society. He

taught that one should look at the positive side at something and not let the negative side cause

harm. However, this caused him to treat Dantés in an ill-mannered way by sending him to prison.

After being swung “back and forth” and thrown by the soldiers into the sea, Dantés planned

revenge and later ruined Villefort’s life (79). That displays that doing something wrong

eventually comes back and destroys one. It is in one’s benefit to make sure nothing that they are

doing is causing harm to others.

The theme of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas represents vengeance and

Villefort plays an important role in Edmond Dantés’ revenge. “Monsieur de Villefort had

promised [Edmond that he would be freed]...[but Dantés was] going to Château d’If” to be

imprisoned (32). After being imprisoned for fourteen years, Dantés was filled with revenge at

everyone who caused his imprisonment. When Dantés revealed his identity to Villefort, Villefort

asked, “‘Is your vengeance complete now’” (485). Because of his wrongdoings to Dantés,

Villefort was devastated and had nothing left. Monsieur de Villefort indeed has a significant role

In Edmond Dantés’ revenge.