Examples Of Foreshadowing In The Cask Of Amontillado

The Cask of Amontillado
"The Cask of Amontillado" is a macabre short story set during carnival, a time of supposed merriment, but takes a dark twist when the narrator decides to use it as a guise to exact revenge on an acquaintance. The narrator’s perspective on the story remains entirely subjective, giving no motive for deciding to murder his friend, only a vague allusion to "thousands of injuries" and insults (Poe 115). Edgar Allen Poe’s peculiar narrative choices of limited perspective and heavy imagery and foreshadowing give the short story his classic sensations of dread and mystery.
Readers are given a very limited perspective in “The Cask of Amontillado,” as the story is told from the perspective of first-person narrator named Montresor.

It can be assumed Montresor has a relatively high standing in his society due to his claims that he frequently buys large quantities of vintage Italian wine and his description of his home which contains “several suites of rooms” and vaults (Poe 116,117). Montresor cares greatly about the way others think of his character from his determination to “be avenged” after being insulted by his acquaintance Fortunato. It can be inferred that Fortunato, as his name implies, has been fortunate and surpassed Montresor in society, and Montresor holds a grudge against him. Microaggressions against Fortunato were pent up over the years, and once the narrator finally had enough, he prepared to exact his revenge. Montresor’s limited perspective exacerbates his reputation as an unreliable narrator, not only giving his account of the story over half a century after the actual event happens, but also only vaguely referring to his side of the story. This leaves his motives for the murder entirely up to speculation; whether they be over a grudge from an insult many years ago or something entirely unmentioned. Montresor’s narrative provides a limited perspective of the events occurring in the story, proving himself to be a suspect character and an unreliable narrator.
Similar to all of Poe’s work, “The Cask of Amontillado” contains much hidden imagery and foreshadowing that gives the story its signature sense of misery and mystery.

The most damning imagery in Poe’s short story is Fortunato’s costume, he is dressed in the colorful ensemble of a jester. This is indicative of his later role in the story, when he plays the fool and unwittingly falls directly into Montresor’s trap. Poe also makes use of imagery in the description of the Montresor family crest, a foot crushing a snake. Fortunato plays the role of the snake, always making small jabs at Montresor, but ultimately getting crushed in the end. Poe also gives many clues foreshadowing the ominous events to come in the story. As the pair descends into the crypt to taste the amontillado, Fortunato is thrown into an intense coughing fit. Montresor asks if he is okay, and he replies, “…it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough,” to which Montresor simply replies, “True,” (Poe 118). Montresor knows for a fact this is true because he intends to be the thing that kills him. The crypt itself also pulls the story deeper into darkness, the plethora of bones and remains introducing the theme of death very early on. Foreshadowing and imagery in “The Cask of Amontillado” attribute the story with its typical themes of fear and obscurity through images and later allusions to

death.
Edgar Allen Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado” is a seemingly chipper story when taken at face-value, but deeper analysis reveals the macabre qualities given by limited narration and foreshadowing and imagery. The restricted point of view from Montresor provides suspends by allowing the reader to piece together the narrative for themselves, or draw their own conclusions from what little information is given. On the other hand, the figurative language gives the tale an ominous feeling by referencing what is to come.