Foreshadowing In The Cask Of Amontillado

Abstract

The Cask of Amontillado is a short story written by Edgar Allen Poe in 1846. An analysis of how Poe reveals the theme “true freedom can only be obtained when one sheds one’s own confinements” through this story. The main character Montresor tells the tale of how he enacted his revenge upon Fortunato during carnival season in Italy. Poe successfully utilizes irony, foreshadowing, and symbolism to exemplify the referenced theme in The Cask of Amontillado.

The Cask of Amontillado Analysis

“The Cask of Amontillado” is a short story written by Edgar Allen Poe in 1846. Poe presents the theme “true freedom can only be obtained when one sheds one’s own confinements” through this story through a combination of irony and symbolism. The

main character Montresor tells the tale of how he enacted his revenge upon Fortunato for supposed insults. Poe successfully utilizes irony and symbolism to exemplify the referenced theme in “The Cask of Amontillado”.
Irony
Poe utilized irony along with foreshadowing to create a sense of suspense if Montresor will be successful in his plan of revenge. Montresor meets with Fortunato during carnival celebrations and see this is the opportunity to act upon his scheme for revenge. He presents this meeting to Fortunato as a chance meeting most likely in the hope of keeping Fortunato in the dark as to his plan. In his tale Montresor describes Fortunato’s costume as, “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, 1846). It shows irony that Fortunato would be dressed as a fool or jester at the meeting where Montresor had decided to enact his revenge. Fossemo (n.d.) noted,
“Fortunato wears motley with a striped dress and a conical cap adorned with bells, as if he had to act as a fool, while the murderer wears a gruesome dress made up of a cloak and a mournful mask of black silk, which hides his face” (para, 6).
This mix of irony and symbolism provides a bit of humor and supports Montresor in continuing along his path of revenge. Montresor states, “I was so pleased to see him that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand.” (Poe, 1846). This irony of the façade that Montresor wishes to present to Fortunato in order to carry on with his plan is evident as the men’s conversation continues. Montresor conversation with Fortunato have several areas that show foreshadowing along with irony as to what his ultimate plan is but Fortunato does not appear to understand him. Fortunato has a cough to which Montresor offers Fortunato to go back but at the same time invokes the name Luchresi, whom Fortunato does not hold in high esteem (Poe, 1846). Poe (1846) has written Montresor stating,
“Come," I said, with decision, "we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchresi --” (para, 35).
Invoking the name of Luchresi has the desired effect on Fortunato. Montresor’s comment is responded to by Fortunato states, “the cough's a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough.” (Poe, 1846). Montresor’s statement of , “True --true,” (Poe, 1846) shows quite a bit of irony with foreshadowing in the fact that Fortunato knows he will not die from his cough but Montresor’s agreement foreshadows his plans of revenge without Fortunato appearing to understand. This could be due to Montresor’s continuing to keep Fortunato drunk as they walk through the catacombs. Montresor’s success freeing himself from his confinements is shown in Poe’s (1846) passage:
“"For the love of God, Montresor!" / "Yes," I said, "for the love of God!" But to these words I hearkened in vain for a reply. I grew impatient. I called aloud -- "Fortunato!" No answer. I called again -- "Fortunato!" No answer still. I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture and let it fall within. There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells. My heart grew sick” (para, 83-88).
Montresor has freed himself from the confinement of being able to commit such a horrifying act of burying another person alive. However, if one looks further Montresor has confined himself to carrying this secret for fifty years. He again frees himself from this confinement by exposing his secret in the form of telling this horrific tale.
Symbolism
The symbolism used in “The Cask of Amontillado” provides a rich backdrop and added depth to the story. Many of the symbols used provide layers of depth to the story if one is willing to see these symbols. The story speaks of a pipe of amontillado pipe is another word for cask. Cask is part of the word casket that symbolizes the tomb in which Montresor seals Fortunato. During the conversation between Montresor and Fortunato, they discuss the Montresor family coat of arms and motto. Montresor describes his coat of arms as “A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel." (Poe, 1846). This is not just symbolism but foreshadowing and irony too. The coat of arms symbolizes the relationship between Montresor and Fortunato along with Montresor’s intent to crush Fortunato in revenge for his past insults. Shmoop Editorial Team notes, “Fortunato is a snake in the grass, he bit Montresor, and Montresor’s big gold foot is coming crashing down on him as a result.” (Shmoop Editorial Team, 2008). This portion of the conversation also includes Montresor telling Fortunato that his family motto is "Nemo me impune lacessit." (Poe, 1846), which means, No one wounds me with impunity. Fortunato seems to have missed the foreshadowing through symbolism who continues along where Montresor leads him. Whereas, the ignorance of Fortunato adds to Montresor’s confidence in carrying out his plan of revenge. Montresor’s determination to live up to his family’s coat of arms and motto appear to have helped him to free himself from the confinements of guilt and remorse in the form of upholding his honor and his family’s honor.
Conclusion
Poe’s use of irony with foreshadowing in combination with symbolism sets the scene and atmosphere of the story as well presents a sense of suspense.

The manner in which Poe has used irony and foreshadowing throughout the conversation between Montresor and Fortunato keeps the reader in suspense as to the outcome. By analyzing the symbols used by Poe throughout the story, especially Montresor’s family coat of arms and motto help to enlighten the reader that these are the base motivators for Montresor. Furthermore, these motivators help Montresor to remain focused in the face of the horror of what he is doing along with the resulting guilt. Montresor is able to free himself from his confinements on two levels. The irony and foreshadowing that is seen in Montresor and Fortunato’s conversation with Fortunato’s continuing ignorance until the end along with the symbolism of Montresor’s family’s coat of arms and motto which show what motivates Montresor’s originally being offended and need for revenge. The second level of freedom from a confinement manifests as Montresor telling his horrific tale thus freeing him from a secret Montresor has keep for fifty years. Poe successfully utilizes irony and symbolism to exemplify the referenced theme in “The Cask of

Amontillado”.

References
Fossemò, S. D. (n.d.). Article: The mysterious revenge in “The Cask of Amontillado” | Innsmouth Free Press. Retrieved February 25, 2018, from http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/blog/article-the-mysterious-revenge-in-the-cask-of-amontillado/
Poe, E. A. (1846, November). The Cask of Amontillado. Retrieved February 21, 2018, from https://americanliterature.com/author/edgar-allan-poe/short-story/the-cask-of-amontillado
Shmoop Editorial Team. (2008, November 11). The Coat of Arms in The Cask of Amontillado. Shmoop.com. Retrieved February 25, 2018, from https://www.shmoop.com/cask-of-amontillado/coat-arms-symbol.html