Figurative Language In The Cask Of Amontillado

Edgar Allen Poe, an American writer who was born in Boston, in the year 1809. Edgar Allen Poe was very detailed oriented in his writings simply because he believed that the reader should calculate every sentiment and idea present in his stories. In The Cask of Amontillado written by Poe. The first person narrator of the story uses manipulative, as well as rhetorical language. Edgar Allen Poe does this to paint an imaginary picture in the reader’s mind to portray the story in an appeasing way.

Even better Poe uses these figurative elements, animating and manipulative aspects by using characters in the story to use these methods. Montresor is number one of the two main characters in the short story The Cask of Amontillado. In the story

Montresor’s motive is to lure the character Fortunato to a six foot deep catacomb and burry him alive. He does this by manipulating Fortunato, telling him of greater things, exploiting his flaws. Which in this case is Fortunato’s pride in his connoisseurship of fine wines. Montresor moves closer to his goal of destroying Fortunato by using figurative speech to manipulate Fortunato to his despise.
According to Firat Karadas, author of the academic journal entitled The Monstrous Speech in Edgar Allen Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado. “Relying on Kantian and Romantic ideas of the role of the subject and its imagination in the monstrosity of language, the article argues that the narrating subject of the story, Montresor, uses the animating and manipulative power of speech to construct the world of the text and destroy the enemy.” Figurative language is made even more vital to the story, because through Montresor’s exemplified use of figurative language, we the reader have an insight to his true identity.
From a philosophical standpoint.

Poe’s Montresor is a unique character, because of his constructive ability to use monstrous figurative language to get what he wants done in the story. A manipulatively sufficient way to work. However there is no doubt in this writer’s mind that it was not just a mere coincidence that the character of Poe’s Montresor, has been the subject metaphysical philosophy for centuries. From the works of Plato in the early years of the 430’s and Aristotle in the late 380’s up to Kant in the 1720’s. “Montresor, represents the kind of 'constructive' subject that has been the main object of study in metaphysical philosophy “(Karadas 2). Poe uses Montresor to manipulate the imaginations of the readers. A philosopher named Ernest Cassirer once said, "Consciousness is a symbolizing, form-giving activity" (Cassirer 61). Montresor plays on the reader’s consciousness while reading, giving form to the imagination!

Montresor uses situational irony in the beginning, as the two fellows begin on their trudge to the Amontillado. In line 31 of the story. Montresor inquires his friend about his persistent cough. Saying “My poor friend found it impossible to reply for many minuets.” (Poe, 33) Montresor urges Fortunato to let him walk Fortunato back. To prevent his illness to worsen from the poor conditions of the Catacombs. “The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough.” “Enough.” (Poe, 36). Montresor is satisfied with the validity

of his friend’s statement.
Verbal irony is another figurative element given to Montresor’s character. In lines 83-84 In the Cask of Amontillado. Montresor uses this verbal irony that he shows the reader throughout the story. Fortunato screams out in a last attempt for Montresor to come to Fortunato’s terms and spare his life. He shrieks out “For the love of God, Montresor!” (Poe, 83). “Yes” I said, “for the love of God!” Montresor uses communication in a very interesting way. Yes he uses the same wording as Fortunato, however Montresor puts a different spin on the context of the sentence. The words mean differently coming from his mouth, as opposed to the way Fortunato used context in that part of the story. As to why Montresor chooses this form of speaking to Fortunato as his final words to his friend, ignites many theories from researchers. However, no one but Poe could ever explain to us the reason for his characters actions. It can be drawn out that Montresor’s pride could only be attributed to his monstrous but constructive figurative language.
In determining Montresor’s motives, it can concluded that his resentment to Fortunato transpires from Montresor’s feelings that Fortunato has taken what was rightfully his. When descending into the catacombs, Fortunato is impressed by the vast accompany or Montresor’s deceased entombed relatives. “These vaults” he said “Are extensive” (Poe, 46). “The Montresor’s,” I replied, “were a great and numerous family.” This implies that Montresor’s family was a family of powerful aristocrats. As Italian history will tell, the aristocrats where dethroned of power by the uprising capitalists like Fortunato. “Indicating that he descends from an old aristocratic family that has lost power with the emergence of the capitalistic class. In this regard, the story becomes a re-writing of "The Fall of the House of Usher" as a revenge story against those who dethroned the old aristocrats from their time-honored position and caused the destruction of the feudal system.” (Karadas, 7).
Finally the Montresor’s Coat of Arms, which is described in the text as being a large Human foot made of d’or. An italian word meaning made of gold. The foot in a field, crushes a serpent rampant with fangs digging into the heel. Below “Nemo me impune lacessit” (Poe, 49) Meaning “No one provokes me with impunity!” If anyone were to study the coat of arms as an allegorical allusion. It can be interpreted as Montresor becoming the snake who takes down Fortunato, the large golden foot. Montresor is rather appropriate to be the snake in the family arms and the motto because "secrecy, cunning, serpentine subtlety--these are the themes Montresor demonstrates best of all" (Stepp 448). “For the love of God!” For the love of God, Montresor avenges his fallen family by murdering the likes of Fortunato. Taking his life ensures that vengeance shall be received, and Montresor can have his own self-satisfaction. To Montresor, the completed murder and incarceration of Fortunato is carrying out his plan for the love of God.
Montresor morphs language into a monstrous power as the power of his figurative language, given to him through Edgar Allen Poe, gives him the ability to center the story, and construct the plot in his own way.

This is apparent through Montresor pushing his own agenda, lobbing to the reader to conform to Montresor and see eye to eye his hatred for Fortunato. Finally the gothic tale concludes with Montresor succeeding in his manipulative ways. Montresor sees the determination of his goal to take down Fortunato has been accomplished. “Since wit and fancy finds easier entertainment in the world than dry truth and real knowledge, figurative speeches and allusions in language will hardly be admitted as an imperfection or abuse of it ... But yet, if we would speak of things as they are ... all the artificial and figurative application of words eloquence hath invented, are for nothing else but to insinuate wrong ideas, move the passions, and thereby mislead the judgment, and so indeed are perfect cheat...Eloquence, like the fair sex, has too prevailing beauties in it to suffer itself ever to be spoken against (in De Man 13, Locke). Locke’s philosophy on figurative speech has sense been disproven, and no longer is defendable by current philosophers. However, the most interesting point is Locke’s warning of figurative language in the hands of a distressed character like

Montresor.