Edmond Dantès

Edmond Dantes is the protagonist of Alexandre Dumas' 1884 novel The Count of Monte Cristo.

About the Character
Edmond Dantes is a sailor aboard the merchant ship Pharaon, owned by one Pierre Morrel. His life seems to be perfect--he has a job he loves, and he is engaged to a beautiful woman, Mercedes. However, Edmond has some unknown enemies in his shipmate Danglars and Mercedes' cousin Fernand Mondego, who conspire with Deputy Prosecutor Gerard de Villefort to have Edmond arrested as a traitor.

Edmond is imprisoned in the Chateau d'If for many years. An escape attempt by the Abbe Faria results in the two men meeting, and Faria trains and educates Edmond in the ways of the world. Faria also reveals to Edmond the secret location of a treasure.

When Faria dies, Edmond uses the opportunity to escape from the Chateau d'If. He goes to the island of Monte Cristo, finds the treasure, and creates a new persona for himself (the Count of Monte Cristo).

Before he was in prison he was a very kind and innocent person, but when he got out of prison he was bitter and very rude .W-hitney14 19:36, 10 November 2011 (MST)

It is important to note that this persona is used only for revenge. Dantes adopts other personalities throughout the novel, used for various purposes.

Plot Summary of the Work
The Count of Monte Cristo is a romance novel (think "adventure") set in France in the post-Napoleon period. The novel's events are adapted from true crime stories of the day and true historical events concerning the return of the exiled emperor to power.

As the jacket copy of the book states, "For nineteen-year-old Edmond Dantes, life is sweet. Soon to be captain of his own ship, he is also about to be married to his true love, Mercedes.  But suddenlly everything turns sour.  On the joyous day of his wedding he is arrested and--without a fair trial--condemned to solitary confinement in the miserable Chateau d'If!  The charges?  Faked!  Edmond has been framed by a handful of powerful enemies.  But why?

While locked away, Edmond learns from another prisoner of a secret treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Edmond concocts a daring and audacious plan: escape and find the treasure! But it is years later--long after Edmond has transformed himself into the Count of Monte Cristo--that his plan for revenge begins to unfold.

Disguised as the wealthy count, Edmond returns to his native land to find his enemies--and make them pay!"

Film or Other Versions

 * The Count of Monte Cristo (film, 2002) - played by James (Jim) Caviezel
 * The Count of Monte Cristo (TV miniseries, 1998 - played by Gerard Depardieu
 * The Count of Monte Cristo (film, 1934) - played by Robert Donat