The Limitations of Human Justice
When Dantès escapes from prison, he becomes consumed with seeking revenge against those who betrayed him and rewarding those who remained loyal. This quest for vengeance drives the entire story. As Monte Cristo, Dantès pursues his retribution methodically and relentlessly, believing himself to be an "extraordinary being" acting as an agent of divine Providence. He metes out punishment where he believes it is deserved. Monte Cristo makes this clear to Villefort during their first meeting in Paris, where they engage in a philosophical discussion (Chapter 48, "Ideology"). Monte Cristo criticizes Villefort for viewing justice solely through the lens of human law and societal norms, asserting that he understands a deeper reality. He recounts to the astonished Villefort an encounter with Satan, during which he declared, “the most beautiful, noblest, most sublime thing in the world is to recompense and punish.” Dantès requested to become Providence itself, but Satan told him that he could only aspire to be an agent of Providence.

Eventually, Monte Cristo recognizes the limitations of a human being attempting to assume a divine role. He had previously justified the destruction he planned to inflict on entire families by invoking the Biblical notion that the sins of the father are visited upon the children. However, he is shocked by the death of the innocent nine-year-old Edouard. Despite Edouard being the son of Villefort, one of the guilty men, Monte Cristo realizes that Edouard did not deserve to die. For the first time, this supremely self-assured man questions the wisdom of his revenge mission. Monte Cristo feels he has overstepped and can no longer claim, “God is for and with me.” With newfound humility, he admits to Maximilien that the gods possess an infallibility that is not accessible to mere mortals. He leaves Paris filled with regret, although he tries to convince himself that he never misused his power for personal gain or futile causes. Nonetheless, he cannot shake his doubts: “Having reached the summit of his vengeance by a long and tortuous path, he saw an abyss of doubt on the other side of the mountain.” A visit to the Château d’If reignites his sense of righteousness about his mission, preparing him for his final act of revenge on Danglars. However, he is undeniably changed. He tells Danglars that he forgives him, acknowledging that he himself is in need of forgiveness for his actions.

Love is Stronger than Hatred
Throughout the years of plotting and exacting his revenge, Monte Cristo isolates himself from the values of the heart. He forbids himself from loving or forming normal human connections. Although he rewards the Morrel family for their loyalty, he keeps an emotional distance from them. After fulfilling his obligation to the Morrels, he abandons kindness and gratitude, focusing solely on vengeance. His mindset is evident in the detached way he discusses torture, justice, and punishment with Albert and Franz before they witness the execution in Rome. Albert is so appalled by Monte Cristo’s demeanor and words that he nearly faints.

Yet, Monte Cristo's heart is not entirely hardened. He shows compassion by honoring Mercédès’s plea to spare Albert in the duel and again when he visits her in Marseilles after leaving Paris, with his revenge nearly complete. He plans to give her half of his fortune, and would have done so immediately if Mercédès had not insisted that Albert must first approve the arrangement.

A significant step in Monte Cristo’s journey to reclaim his ability to love occurs when he goes to great lengths to ensure that Valentine is united with Maximilien. He realizes he does not need to despise Valentine just because she is Villefort’s daughter. The sins of the father do not have to be visited upon the children. However, it is only when he allows himself to fall in love with Haydée that he fully regains his humanity. He is now able to enjoy life in the present without being consumed by past injustices. As he explains to Maximilien, only those who have experienced profound sorrow can truly appreciate ultimate bliss. Following the grim act of justice, the love between Maximilien and Valentine, and between Monte Cristo and Haydée, demonstrates that love ultimately prevails.