Its numerous themes, exploring aspects of human nature, philosophy, and theology, is underscored in this quote: "... Pray now and then for a man who, like Satan, believes himself for an instant equal to God, but who realized in all humility that supreme power and wisdom are in the hands of God alone” (Dumas 440-441). Possibly one of the most significant quotes in The Count of Monte Cristo, this excerpt ties in to all of the major themes of the novel - vengeance, forgiveness, and power.
The novel begins in early 19th Century France with the protagonist, Edmond Dantes, a sailor returning to Marseilles and having the good fortune to be promoted. However, misfortune soon overtakes him and the hapless sailor gets arrested for a crime he is innocent of. After spending 14 years in prison, he learns the reason of his arrest - the betrayal of three people that he never suspected. After finally escaping from prison, he comes upon an enormous treasure and begins to carry out his vengeance against the three guilty men while he disguises as the Count of Monte Cristo.
This marks the beginning of Dantes's revenge and his noticeable change in character, illustrated in this quote: “Then his eyes lighted up with hatred as he thought of the three men who had caused him so long and wretched captivity. He renewed against Danglars, Fernand, and Villefort the oath of implacable vengeance he had made in his dungeon” (249). The theme of vengeance drives the plot of most of the novel and later on, he carries out his plot of vengeance against the three.
One of the reasons why the quote in the introduction is so significant is because it ties in greatly with the theme of vengeance. When Dantes carries out his vengeance, he believes he has been favored by God to carry out the punishments on those who have wronged him. Later on, when he sees that he has harmed people who are innocent, he realizes that he could no longer be acting as God on earth and his desire for vengeance goes away. This is shown in the quote when Dantes says "... believes himself for an instant equal to God, but who realized in all humility that supreme power and wisdom are in the hands of God alone" (440-441).
This is one of the reasons why the introductory excerpt is so significant, it ties in greatly with the theme of vengeance and Dantes's later realization that he is not right in carrying out his vengeance. In this quote, Dantes states his realization that his vengeance is not just and that only God himself has the right to avenge. Though this excerpt ties in well with the theme of vengeance, it ties in with other themes as well that are important to the novel.
Another theme that the excerpt connects with is forgiveness. When Dantes takes out his vengeance, he realizes that he has hurt many innocent people, especially when he takes it out on Villefort. He then realizes that he is know longer in God's favor and wishes for forgiveness. He helps Morrel out of his misery hoping that he may be forgiven. The excerpt relates to forgiveness in that he realizes all the wrong he has done and hopes he has been forgiven. He also compares himself with Satan and possibly believes that he has done as much wrong as Satan himself. A part of forgiveness is admitting all the wrongs that one has done.
Also, when he says “that supreme power and are in the hands of God alone” (440-441), he realizes that only God can forgive and avenge. Just like it is with the theme of vengeance, the excerpt is also significant with the theme of forgiveness. However, there is still one last the theme that the quote relates well to.
In addition to the themes already mentioned, the excerpt taken also relates to the theme of power. Throughout Dantes's plot for revenge, he believes himself as powerful as God and justifies all of his actions by saying that God is carrying them out through him. This is shown specifically when he tells Mercedes, Fernand's wife, “It is not I who strike M. de Morcef; it is Providence which punishes him” (1183); M. de Morcef being Fernand's title. However, when he realizes that he has gone too far and hurt the innocent, he realizes that supreme power is only in God's hands and not his. This is what the excerpt is trying to convey the most, that man is powerless compared to the almighty God.
In the excerpt, Dantes compares himself to Satan saying that like Satan, he believes himself equal to God, but later realizes that no one is except God himself. What the excerpt is mainly trying to say regarding power is that only God has true power and all human beings do not have nearly as much power as God. Though the excerpt relates well with the themes of vengeance and forgiveness, it is the theme of power that makes this excerpt so significant.
The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexander Dumas, is definitely one of the greatest novels in classical literature. One of the possible reasons why it is so great is because of its many themes. The excerpt, which has already been stated in the introduction, ties in to many of the themes, specifically the themes of vengeance, forgiveness, and power. The fact that it ties in so well with those themes is the main reason that makes the quote so significant.
Having great insight on topics such as the righteousness of vengeance, forgiveness, and the power of God and man, this excerpt is definitely one of the most important in the book and ultimately, makes one want to question his powers as well.
