# The Colosseum explained — The Count of Monte Cristo

> Chapter companion for The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.

## What happens

Franz and Albert visit the Colosseum by moonlight, where Franz reflects on the mysterious 'Sinbad the Sailor' and his connections to bandits and smugglers. During the visit, Franz encounters a mysterious figure in a cloak, later identified as the Count of Monte Cristo. The next morning, they visit the Count in his luxurious apartments, confirming his identity as the enigmatic host from Monte Cristo. At the opera, Franz sees the Count again with a Greek girl, and a countess warns him that the Count resembles a vampire, deepening the mystery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Transformation

The Count of Monte Cristo's multiple identities (Sinbad the Sailor, mysterious host, and Count) are explored through Franz's recognition and the countess's vampire comparison.

### Fate and Providence

Franz's encounters with the Count seem guided by fate, as he repeatedly crosses paths with the mysterious figure in Rome.

## Character check-ins

### Franz d'Épinay

Franz reflects on the mysterious 'Sinbad the Sailor' and his connections to bandits, and later recognizes the Count of Monte Cristo at the Colosseum and the opera.

### Albert de Morcerf

Albert accompanies Franz to the Colosseum and later visits the Count of Monte Cristo, showing awe at the ruins and the Count's luxurious apartments.

### Edmond Dantès

The Count of Monte Cristo is recognized by Franz as the mysterious figure from the Colosseum and the host from Monte Cristo, appearing at the opera with a Greek girl.

### Luigi Vampa

Franz recalls Pastrini's story about Vampa and his connection to smugglers, linking him to the mysterious host.

### Sinbad the Sailor

Franz associates the name 'Sinbad the Sailor' with the Count of Monte Cristo, recalling his philanthropic exploits.

## Key lines

> Let Memphis cease to boast the barbarous miracles of her pyramids, and the wonders of Babylon be talked of no more among us; all must bow to the superiority of the gigantic labor of the Caesars, and the many voices of Fame spread far and wide the surpassing merits of this incomparable monument.

The Colosseum surpasses the pyramids of Egypt and the wonders of Babylon in grandeur and fame.

_Martial's eulogy of the Colosseum, emphasizing its superiority over other ancient wonders._

> Why, that he is no other than Lord Ruthven himself in a living form.

The Count of Monte Cristo looks exactly like the vampire Lord Ruthven from Byron's works.

_The countess compares the Count to the fictional vampire Lord Ruthven, highlighting his pale, eerie appearance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-colosseum
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_count_of_monte_cristo_se/chapters