Character Analysis
Monte Cristo may be baddest of the bad and the coolest of the cool, but Monsieur Noirtier sure does give him a run for his money. Diehard revolutionary, expert duelist, advisor to Napoleon, loyal grandfather, a man of unshakeable character and honesty, Noirtier never, ever backs down. Even after being struck by a crippling attack of apoplexy, Noirtier doesn't succumb to despair…unlike some other characters we know (*cough* La Carconte *cough*). Heck, if anything, his infirmity makes him stronger, at least mentally. He's always one step ahead of his son's schemes, constantly foiling Gérard de Villefort's attempts to marry Valentine off against her will, and he's a more than willing to take the Count's lead when the time comes. Really, there's not much you can say against Noirtier. Unless of course you're a Royalist. In which case he's a criminal and a murderer. But that's all just a matter of perspective.