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
             ...