Examples Of Fortunato In Cask Of The Amontillado

Fortunato was not Fortunate

Would you go to a catacomb to find a fine wine? in Edgar Allen Poe's short story “Cask of the Amontillado” Fortunato is tricked by Montresor to follow him into his family's catacomb to find the “Cask of the Amontillado” but in reality he is going to his death bed. Montresor is tired of being insulted by Fortunato; so he plots his revenge. As readers we witness Fortunato as he is lured into the catacombs and buried alive. Fortunato makes himself an easy target for Montresor because he is drunk, too prideful, and insensitive.

In the story “Cask of the Amontillado” Fortunato becomes drunk because Montresor gives him an unlimited supply of alcohol to make him unaware of Montresor's devious plan. The reader knows Fortunato

is drunk by the sentence “The wine sparkled in his eyes and the bells jingled.” (2). This quote shows the intoxication Fortunato has because he is getting very drunk. Another quote to show Fortunato’s drunkenness is “...let us go on. But first another drink of the Medoc.” (3). In this quote Fortunato is asking for another drink of wine but he is already very intoxicated. The next mistake Fortunato makes is his prideful attitude.
Fortunato’s pride is the main reason he gets buried alive in a wall. Fortunato only goes down into the catacomb to get the Amontillado before Luchesi because he wants it to himself. The second reason is he wants to prove he is a better wine taster than Luchesi. Readers learn these two reasons when Fortunato says, “ Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry.” (1), and when Fortunato is described as ignoramus. “He is ignoramus.”(3). Fortunato’s insensitivity causes Montresor to want revenge.
Fortunato’s insensitivity is the last main reason why Fortunato was an easy target for Montressor. Fortunato did not even know he had hurt Montresor's feelings. “The thousand injuries I had borne as I best could: but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.” (1). This quote shows how Montressor is tired of being bullied by Fortunato and it is time for Fortunato to pay. Montresor wants revenge not for the injuries but for the insult. Another quote to show Fortunato’s insensitivity and Montresor’s feelings is “A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser.” (1). The term redress means to correct an error. Montresor wants to correct the evil he thinks Fortunato has done.
Does revenge equal justice? Fortunato is buried alive in a brick wall. Montresor struggles with the weight of the last brick. He feels satisfied and a bit guilty for the crime he has committed. Fortunato could have prevented his death by being sober. He would have been aware of what Montresor planned to do to him. If Fortunato had been less prideful he would not have had any reason to even enter the catacombs. Fortunato would not have been endangered if he had not had been insensitive towards Montresor from the beginning