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Family In The Count Of Monte Cristo

Decent Essays

In the film The Count of Monte Cristo, based on the novel of the same name by Alexander Dumas, the idea of family serves as serious matter that is capable of dictating the allegiances and motivations for the primary characters of the film. Furthermore, the idea of family is also depicted in the film, as a liability for the characters and a vulnerability that others in the film exploit. Within this examples can be seen in Villefort’s action of imprisoning Edmond to protect his father, Albert’s change of heart when it is revealed that Edmond is his father, and the class discrimination that Edmond encounters prior to his imprisonment. Edmond’s imprisonment at the hands of Villefort is a defining moment of the film and is one motivated entirely by Villefort’s filial ties. During this scene, Edmond shows evidence of a Bonapartist conspiracy through a letter given to him by Napoleon Bonaparte. Initially, Villefort realizes Edmond’s innocence, but upon inspecting the letter it is revealed to him that the its contents incriminate his father. When this is revealed to him, Villefort burns the letter and imprisons Edmond for life in order to silence him. Through this, it is seen that the idea of family is capable of drastically altering the goals of characters, as Villefort immediately realizes that he must destroy …show more content…

It is this type of weakness that causes characters to encounter lapses in judgement, often succumbing to jealousy or injustice. Furthermore, it is the idea of family that forms the social class of character, those above him or her and the various privileges or penalties that they receive in life. The film realizes this and expresses it by having those of nobler origin, Villefort and Mondego, attempting to exploit the family ties of the lowborn, Edmond Dantes, but ultimately face

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