Final answer:
Monsieur de Villefort is shocked and horrified upon hearing Benedetto's accusation, which leads to his moral decline and madness. The events contribute to the overarching themes of guilt and retribution in Alexandre Dumas's 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Monsieur de Villefort's response to Benedetto's story and accusation in The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is one of profound shock and horror. It is not explicitly detailed in the text, but his actions following the revelations in court suggest a deep internal turmoil.
Villefort had previously buried his newborn child alive, thinking the child was stillborn. Benedetto, the child who survived, returns as an adult to accuse him publicly during a trial. Villefort is overwhelmed by guilt and the destruction of his life's façade of respectability.
The story of Villefort is an exploration of the themes of guilt, retribution, and the consequences of one's actions that are central to Dumas's novel. Villefort's moral decline and eventual madness are critical to the novel's plot, emphasizing the idea of inevitable justice. Ultimately, Villefort is unable to escape the repercussions of his past deeds and is driven to madness.