Fernand Mondego was a simple fisherman who led a dull, monotonous life and was
not very important in the social status. If he had just been content in all of
his circumstances, his life might have been better. However, from the very
beginning of the book, Fernand's goal in life was to obtain things he could not
obtain. He desired power, fame, fortune-- and Mercedes. Most of these could be
obtained in time, but Mercedes was one thing that Fernand knew he would never
get unless Edmond Dantes disappeared for good. He set out with revenge against
him and used a devious plan to fulfill his desires. His character traits were
all built on one thing: greed. He had many other traits, such as jealousy,
selfishness, and slyness, which were important in accomplishing his goals.
Perhaps the most important was jealousy. Fernand had a jealous temperament. In
Chapter Three, Fernand asked Mercedes to marry him with these words,
"Listen Mercedes, it's almost Easter again-- a good time for a wedding.
Give me an answer!" Fernand burned with rage when Mercedes answered his
plea with, "I love you like a brother, but never ask anything more of me
because my heart belongs to someone else." This someone else just happened
to be Edmond Dantes, the new captain of the Pharoan. From that point on, Fernand
was very envious of Dantes. Fernand had done every thing in his power to capture
Mercedes' heart and yet the one who held it was Edmond Dantes. This made him
very jealous and discontented. Another trait Fernand possessed was selfishness.
Fernand was extremely selfish and self-centered. Everything that he did revolved
around him. After learning that Mercedes refused to marry him, she showed up
clinging to Dantes. The book describes Mercedes trying to introduce them in this
way, "Keeping her" (Mercedes') "hand clasped in his, Edmond held
out his other hand to Fernand. But Fernand remained as motionless and still as a
statue. Edmond looked inquiringly at Mercedes, who was trembling and upset, then
at Fernand, who scowled threateningly." If Fernand really loved Mercedes,
he would think of her feelings and be happy for her. The only thoughts that
buzzed around in his head, however, were his own feelings of resentment toward
Edmond, so he refused to shake his hand. These feelings of hatred led to a sly
plan that Fernand concocted along with Danglers. Being very sly and clever were
some other character traits that Fernand possessed. Because of his selfishly
jealous nature towards Dantes, he plotted revenge. Fernand figured that the only
way to obtain Mercedes would be to get Edmond Dantes out of the way. Teaming up
with Danglers, he wrote a letter accusing Edmond of carrying a letter from Elba
to the Bonapartist committee in Paris. Fernand delivered the letter to carry out
their conniving plan. The commissary came to the betrothal feast and said,
"'Which one of you gentlemen is Edmond Dantes?'" Edmond replied,
"'I'm Edmond Dantes, sir. What do you want with me?'" The commissary
said, "'Edmond Dantes, you are under arrest.'" This confirms the fact
that the evil plan worked and Dantes was put into jail for fourteen long years.
Fernand's character traits were important. They added to the story and showed
why Dantes got revenge on him. He could have done many things with his life and
could have been used in many ways, but he did not. Because all of his desires
were self-seeking, he did not go anywhere in life. His jealous nature was part
of what destroyed him. Contentedness was definitely not a strong point in
Fernand's character. He was egotistical and had many selfish desires as well.
These traits combined with his shrewdness and conniving nature eventually led
him to destruction.