The
Countess of Morcerf
Introduction
The Countess of Morcerf is a
beautiful lady, with a bewitching personality. She is lie a breath of fresh
air, in the play The Count’s Revenge. Twenty years ago, she lived in Marseilles
and was betrothed to Edmond Dantes. She was then known as Mercedes, an
extremely charming lady. She is adored and admired by all. She enchanted every
one, who came into contact with her. So ravishingly beautiful was she.
A Victim Of A
Conspiracy
It is her beauty, which resulted in
her undoing, so to speak. While it was known to all and sundry, that she was to
be married to Edmond Dantes A fisherman, named Fernand Mondego, also desired to
marry her. Fernand Mondego, though a friend of Edmond Dantes, hatched a most
diabolic plot, whereby he got Edmond condemned as a traitor and a spy to the
exiled Buonaparte. Thus he eliminated Edmond from the scene and tricked Mercedes
into marrying her.
Tricked Into
Marrying Fernand Mondego
The cunning Fernand Mondego convinced
Mercedes by giving her false evidence that Edmond Dantes had died in Prison.
Then he gradually gains her confidence by sympathy with her. In this way, Fernand
Mondego succeeds in marrying he. Although fate ill treats Mercedes, it goes to
her credit that she remains loyal wife to her villainous husband, Fernand
Mondego.
As A Loving
Mother
She dearly loved her son, Albert.
When she learns that Albert has challenged Monte Cristo, to a duel, she is
deeply concerned, for the safety of her son. She does what any mother would
have done, under the circumstances. She visits Monte Cristo, under the cover of
darkness and begs of him, to spare the life of her only son. Monte Cristo
yields to her request and promises not to kill Albert.
Mercedes
Confides To Her Son
Then Mercedes, now known as the
Countess of Morcerf, confides into her son, Albert and tells him how she had
begged of Monte Cristo, to spare his life. She then requests him not to fight
the duel. She then discloses to Albert the villainy of his father, the Count of
Morcerf. How he got Monte Cristo labelled as a spy and got him imprisoned for
twenty years, although he was absolutely innocent. How Morcerf cheated her into
marrying him and how he ill treated and tortured her.
Duel Averted
Albert after learning about the
misdeed of his father resolves not to fight the duel. Not only this he
apologizes to Monte Cristo and becomes his friend. Thus, the Countess plays a
very important role in averting the duel and saving Albert’s life.
A Woman of
Great Qualities
The Countess is a woman of great
qualities. She is kind and affectionate. She is devoted mother and loves her
son dearly. As a wife too, she is faithful to the evil Morcerf, till she learns
from Monte Cristo that she got cheated by Morcerf, into marrying him. The only
blot on her otherwise chaste and pure character, is her desertion of her
husband, towards the end of the play.
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