Loyalty in The Count of Monte Cristo
In the world of Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo self-sacrificing loyalty is the greatest attribute of the "good" characters. Conversely, the most despicable disloyalty is the chief characteristic of the "villains" like Danglars and Fernand. The "good" characters take risks to help Dantés when he is in trouble, as in the case of Morrel the ship-owner, or when they believe that he is in trouble, as in the case of Jacopo the fellow smuggler. Other loyal characters include Coclès, the one-eyed cashier; Emmanuel Herbaut, an employee of Morrel; Pen…
