Examples Of Direct Characterization In The Cask Of Amontillado

In “The Cask of Amontillado”, Edgar Allen Poe uses indirect characterization to show the different traits that Montresor possesses while carrying out his revenge. Montresor’s deceitful character is shown by his speech. For instance, it states in the text, “‘And I, Fortunato — I drink to your long life.’” Montresor says that he drinks to Fortunato’s longevity with irony, knowing that later on, Fortunato will face death as a result of his vengeance. Another example states, “‘But is it not late? Should we not be going back? They will be expecting us. Let us go.’ ‘Yes. Let us go.’ As I said this I lifted the last stone from the ground.” In this part, instead of freeing Fortunato the way he sounded like he would, he did the exact opposite. Montresor covered up the only opening of the room. His speech, as he desires strongly to do harm to Fortunato, shows that he is a deceitful man.

After the speech of the character, comes the character’s thoughts.

Not only is Montresor deceitful, his thoughts reveal/demonstrate that he is also quite wicked. In the text, it states, “I would make him pay, yes; but I would act only with the greatest care. I must not suffer
as a result of taking my revenge.” This indicates that Montresor is well prepared and have carefully planned out everything to take his revenge. It also states, “I continued to smile in his face, and he did not understand that I was now smiling at the thought of what I planned for him, at the thought of my revenge.” Montresor puts up a facade as his mind is full of thoughts on how to make Fortunato suffer. Based on Montresor’s evil thoughts, the reader can tell that he is a man full of

wickedness.
Lastly, the actions taken by Montresor show that he is a scheming man who does sly things to get what he wants. For example, it states in the text, “There was no one at home. I had told the servants that they must not leave the palace, as I would not return until the following morning and they must care for the place. This, I knew, was enough to make it certain that they would all leave as soon as my back was turned.” Montresor planned for the servants to leave the palace so that he could carry out his revenge without any disruptions or witnesses. Another example states, “Before Fortunato could guess what was happening, I closed the lock and chained him tightly to the wall.” Montresor was sneaky and took the chance when Fortunato wasn’t looking to quickly secure the chains around him, preventing him from leaving the small room. After all the things that he has done to make Fortunato pay, it is evident that Montresor is a sly man with a scheming mind.