Gérard de Villefort
The ambitious and ruthless king’s attorney who imprisons Dantès.
Core Belief
"Personal ambition and social standing are paramount, and all actions are justifiable in their defense."
Worldview
Villefort sees the world as a hierarchy, where power and status are the ultimate goals. He believes that those in positions of authority have a right to maintain their power by any means necessary, and that the ends always justify the means.
Personality
Driven by an insatiable ambition and a desire to protect his family's reputation, Villefort is intelligent, calculating, and utterly ruthless. He is willing to sacrifice innocent lives to advance his own career and maintain his social standing.
In Their Own Words
"“I really must pray you to excuse me, but—in truth—I was not attending to the conversation.”"
"“’Tis true, madame,” answered he, “that my father was a Girondin, but he was not among the number of those who voted for the king’s death; he was an equal sufferer with yourself during the Reign of Terror, and had well-nigh lost his head on the same scaffold on which your father perished.”"
"“The contract,” answered Dantès, laughingly, “it didn’t take long to fix that. Mercédès has no fortune; I have none to settle on her. So, you see, our papers were quickly written out, and certainly do not come very expensive.”"
Discussions with Gérard de Villefort
Other Characters from The Count of Monte Cristo
Edmond Dantès
A young, ambitious sailor who is wrongly imprisoned and seeks revenge.
Abbé Faria
A brilliant and eccentric Italian priest who becomes Dantès's mentor in prison.
Fernand Mondego
A Catalan fisherman consumed by jealousy and ambition, who betrays Dantès.
Mercédès Herrera
Dantès's betrothed, torn between her love for him and her circumstances.
Haydée Tepelini
The beautiful and intelligent daughter of Ali Pasha, who becomes Monte Cristo's ward and eventually his lover.
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