Balancing Justice and Mercy: An Exploration of The Count of Monte Cristo. The themes of justice and mercy are as old as humanity itself, and few literary works have explored them with as much depth and nuance as The Count of Monte Cristo. The Count of Monte Cristo explores the homogeneous themes of justice and mercy through the characters' actions and motivations. The story shows Dantes changing internally and externally, with characters beseeching for God and his help and the quest of Dantes with the ultimate goal of vengeance. The lack of justice served, however, shows to be a negative when the consequences of it show for not only the individuals but society as a whole, showcasing the importance of the two fundamentals. When people go through …show more content…
“Farewell to kindness, humanity and gratitude.” (Dumas 131). Dantes had an epiphany that in order to execute his plans of vengeance, he must freeze his heart and be prepared to confront the sinister sides of human nature. Dantes understands that it will require him to change and face the harsher realities of human nature. He recognizes that the path chosen will force him to challenge the darker side of himself. He must be prepared to deal with betrayal and treason. Although being a difficult task he knows it is necessary. “He gave me a dagger which he had carved himself.” (Dumas 169). Dantes demonstrates his compassion for those who are wrongfully done, he begs the prison official to free the criminal by bribing him to save Peppino from execution. Dantes demonstrates his belief in fairness and justice being done right. His actions also reveal a deeper look into his character by showing empathy and compassion for those who are struggling. The duality in his character shows how complex one can be. Dantes shows a deeper dive into his character through actions in his using his wealth and his mind to help those wrongfully accused despite his own quest for vengeance. The novel raises questions about the morality of committing retribution, especially by the protagonist, Dantes. “Edmond, and if you want to take revenge on someone, you ought to take it on me” (Dumas 378). Dantes is seen being begged for mercy and forgiveness. But they are also taking accountability for their