And Symbolism In Edgar Allen Poe's The Cask Of Amontillado

Horror themed stories frighten, scare, or startle the reader by inducing feelings of terror and dread. In The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allen Poe tells the tale of Montresor, a disgruntled noble man who plots revenge on his adversary. Montresor declares that another noble man named Fortunato that has constantly battered him and insulted him. Montresor has plotted his revenge over time and has carefully constructed a plan to blatantly and consciously destroy Fortunato right before his very eyes. The most terrifying aspect of Montresor’s plan is the methodical nature in which he leads Fortunato to his doom. Poe continually builds terror in The Cask of Amontillado, masterfully utilizing plot, setting and symbolism to develop horror in his classic

From symbolic references to Free Mason’s to simple symbolic insinuations, Poe relies on symbolism to build horror throughout his masterpiece by engaging the reader and delivering dread. Poe uses symbolism to discredit Fortunato and symbolize his role as a fool in the story. Poe writes, “The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.” (Poe 1109). Trent Lorcher imparts, “In short, Fortunato is dressed as a fool, a symbolic representation of what he is.” (Lorcher). Additionally, Fortunato is continually misled by Montresor to the delicious cask of Amontillado. This is a symbol of the arrogance and greed that Fortunato possesses. Fortunato is a powerful man in his own right and cannot fathom that he is in danger from Montresor. Fortunato believes that he is superior to Montresor and is entitled to the best that Montresor can offer him. The ultimate use of symbolism plays on Fortunato’s arrogance to assume that he is in no danger at all. Poe uses symbolism to great effect in The Cask of Amontillado, developing horror for the reader through careful buildup and subtle

The plot is continually revealed with each step Fortunato takes towards his doom. In my opinion, plot is the most terrifying piece of the literary puzzle because Montresor has established a calculated and well-constructed plan that he simply will not waver from in execution. The sheer madness required of any individual to not only fabricate a plan but execute it with cold-blooded precision is mind boggling. The plot in The Cask of Amontillado transforms Montresor from a revenge seeking noble man, into a calculated, cold-blooded murderer. The setting in the story provides additional creepiness for the reader as they visualize traversing the same crypt that Fortunato must navigate. The descriptive elements outline the terrifying conditions in the crypt and ultimately provide insight into Fortunato’s final resting place. Symbolism is used with fantastic effect in The Cask of Amontillado, developing horror for the reader by outlining key story elements. The usage of plot, setting and symbolism take the reader on a journey of horrific discovery in The Cask of Amontillado. As Montresor’s plot is revealed, the reader is saturated by the setting and symbolism of the story. Many consider The Cask of Amontillado to be Poe’s finest work and I am inclined to agree that his masterful usage of literary elements, deliver a story that the reader will not soon