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A main theme presented in “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is that Montresor shows obsession with the murder of fortunato. This is exemplified by Montresor’s precise planning, carefulness and slowness of speed in the process. Montresor shows obsession through his precise planning. “As I said these words I busied myself among the pile of bones of which I have before spoken. Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar. With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.” “It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much. The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped …show more content…
I had told them that I should not return until the morning, and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the house. These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance, one and all, as soon as my back was turned." Montresor must have been planning this for months, he has put everything into place to ensure he gets his revenge with no consequences. He waited until carnival so the whole city would be loud, knowing that it is carnival he knew Fortunato would be fairly intoxicated making him easily persuadable. Also because he knew it would be carnival he knew everyone would be dressed up and incognito so no one could ever identify him to keep himself innocent. But before all of that he went down through the catacombs and laid out a special area for what would be
The story "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe is a story of murder and revenge. What is disturbing about this story is the lengths to which Montressor goes to gain this revenge. The statement "At length I would be avenged, this was a point definitely settled - but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk" (1314) tells much about the character Montressor. In this essay, I intend to show that this statement and others in the story indicate that Montressor was vengeful for past injustices and calculating in his plans to kill Fortunato. He was cold hearted enough to carry out these plans. This is the truth revealed about Montresor.
In a psychological perspective, the author’s life is linked with the behavior and motivations of characters in the story. The author’s name is Edgar Allan’s Poe who portrayed his self in his writing. The miserable life of Poe can be measured through “The Cask of Amontillado” in which character named “Montressor” showed indifferent feeling towards his victim. After burying Fortunado alive, Montressor felt bad after burying his victim alive but then he attributes the feeling of guilt to the damp catacombs. To the character and to the author, it seems that ghastly nature murder and the immoral approach of treachery is merely an element of reality. This story is a true representation of author’s anguish and torment nature.
In his article “On Memory Forgetting, and Complicity in “the Cask of Amontillado”” Raymond DiSanza suggests that an act of wrongdoing is always at the heart of good horror stories. (194) DiSanza’s article on “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe describes Poe’s writing in a way I didn’t think of myself. DiSanza finds Poe’s language in this story to “taste like amontillado: smooth, slightly sweet, and appropriately chilled”. (DiSanza 195) Throughout his article he mostly talks about what possibly could have been Montresor’s motive to kill Fortunato? And why did Montresor wait fifty years to tell the story?
“The Cask of Amontillado” is a dark piece, much like other works of Edgar Allan Poe, and features the classic unreliable narrator, identified by himself only as Montresor. This sinister central character is a cold ruthless killer that is particularly fearsome because he views murder as a necessity and kills without remorse. Montresor is a character who personifies wickedness. Poe uses this character and his morally wrong thoughts and actions to help the reader identify with aspects of the extreme personage, allowing them to examine the less savory aspects of their own. The character of Montresor detailing the glorious murder he committed is a means of communicating to the reader that vengeance and pride are moral motivators that lead to treacherous deeds and dark thoughts.
In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor sets out on a vengeful mission that will end Fortunato’s life in an untimely fate. Montresor appeals to Fortunato’s love for wine to tempt the unsuspecting fellow to his impending doom. While Montresor tricks the foolish Fortunato frightfully, it is ultimately Fortunato’s pride that leads to his demise in the crypt. Poe uses several literary devices to foreshadow this murderous exploit of Montresor. Through the use of irony, symbolism, and imagery, the story entices readers to delve into the relationships and differences between Montresor and Fortunato.
Edgar Allen Poe’s tale of murder and revenge, “The Cask of Amontillado”, offers a unique perspective into the mind of a deranged murderer. The effectiveness of the story is largely due to its first person point of view, which allows the reader a deeper involvement into the thoughts and motivations of the protagonist, Montresor. The first person narration results in an unbalanced viewpoint on the central conflict of the story, man versus man, because the reader knows very little about the thoughts of the antagonist, Fortunato. The setting of “The Cask of Amontillado”, in the dark catacombs of Montresor’s wine cellar, contributes to the story’s theme that some people will go to great lengths to fanatically defend their honor.
Carefully, cautiously the Montresor plotted precisely how he would exact revenge upon Fortunato. Much time and great energy was devoted to this plan, selecting a time that would be best: during carnival when the town would be celebratory, his servants apt to run off and join the celebration, when the two could silently disappear without notice or question. No detail is forgotten; he allows for no deterrents. He follows through with such a confidence that never does he stumble or hesitate in carrying out his plan. The Montresor indicates that he had never given. To continue with this ploy, he even goes so far as to express false concern for Fortunato as they pass through the catacombs. Blaming the nitre and damp, the Montresor suggests that they turn back as not to compromise Fortunato’s ill health, though he has no intent of doing so. Never once until the very end did Fortunato have cause to suspect that there were any foul plans afoot.
The logic behind his fixation for revenge was “the thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne, when he ventured upon insult-I vowed revenge” also meaning Fortunato had intentionally insulted something personal to him(61). Montresor knew“there were no attendants at home”because“to ensure their immediate disappearance, one and all as soon as my back turned” he used reverse psychology on all his attendances, this was how devoted he was to getting revenge(63). In the end he really was a static character as he never changed he even ended his tale of revenge with “in pace requiescat” which he is using to intentionally mock Fortunato’s new grave(68). Montresor is the perfect example of a static character since throughout the whole entire story all that's on his mind is how he can succeed on getting his
Montresor, the main character in Edgar Allen Poe's well-known short story Cask of Amontillado, is only one of this author's many deeply disturbed and sadistic protagonists in his famous literary works. In this story, Poe focuses on the raw emotions and traits that Montresor exhibits throughout the tale. Although, it is never clearly discussed why Montresor seeks revenge upon Fortunato, he bitterly recounts how Fortunato had insulted him for no apparent reason. Montresor's plan for revenge is to murder Fortunato in a slow, sadistic, and inescapable manner. In the end, Montresor accomplishes his goal of making Fortunato pay for his offensive words and behaviors, thereby demonstrating his lack of empathy, psychopathic tendencies, and persuasiveness.
In the story, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, it reveals the despicable antagonist of Montresor. The story is a flashback of Montresor’s cruel, unreasonable actions towards his nemesis, Fortunato long ago. Throughout the major conflicts of the story, the author reveals a strong mood of suspense. This is mainly shown by the way Montresor speaks, his thoughts, and actions.
Montresor had carefully planned his elaborate ceremony, which had elements of a Christian mass but was morbid and evil. He toasted to Fortunato’s good health and long life over a glass of wine, which is usually a blessing. However, Montresor makes the reader well aware of his intentions which couldn’t be further from his words. He reassures Fortunato that he “will not die of a cough”, and is continually urging him not to go down into the vaults. Every plea to go back is actually a nudging downwards into the
Montresor completely masterminds a brilliant plan to orchestrate the perfect murder. Montresor 2uses Fortunato’s weakness which is wine to lure into the catacombs as stated in the text “ He had a weak point --this Fortunato,” “He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine.” Montresor casually arranged each part of his plan. He knew how to get Fortunato into the catacombs without suspicion. He knew to bring extra alcohol so he could dull Fortunato’s senses to point of delusion and incomprehension. He even knew to plan what he was going to use when he chained Fortunato to the wall and what he would use to wall up the catacombs. Each act was premeditated and formulated to the absolute
Throughout a human’s lifetime, he or she will face experiences that can affect the development of his or her character. In Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor is the narrator and main character throughout the story that faces an experience that changes his viewpoint on his former friend, Fortunato. Although Fortunato is not aware of Montresor’s issues towards him, he soon finds out the true level of their friendship. Throughout the short story of “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor portrays the characteristics of vengeance, manipulation, and lack of sympathy towards his “frenemy,” Fortunato, to show the significance of his ruthless character.
“In Montresor’s confession to the priest, his honesty interlaces with darkness. He “vomits” the book of his life. His final words: “In pace requiescat!” (24), reveals a different aspect of Montresor. Like an onion divested of its covers, Montresor, having freed himself of painful knowledge, darkness, feels dizzy or lighthearted. He turns around and playfully gives Fortunato his last rites. The confession within the framework confession is a peephole into Montresor’s heart. Having carried Fortunato in his mind and heart, Montresor feels free at last. When Montresor confesses after fifty years on his deathbed, remorse is not paramount.” (Whatley 2). Once his grudge leaves him, he starts feeling guilt and remorse. He killed Fortunato because of the grudge he had and the anger that was in his heart. It was not the right thing for him to do but he did not realize it until after the deed was done. He does not tell anyone about this for fifty years. In this long silence, he is confronted by his guilt. His heart feels low and he is disappointed in himself. He keeps calm on the outside but on the inside, he is being torn apart. He finally cannot take any more fifty years later and had to tell what happened after his guilt convicted him more than he can
The main reasons for Montresor’s traits are his family arms and family motto. He mentions his family arms as, “[a] huge human foot d’or, in a field of azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel” (Poe). This quote, to me, means as, “[a] ...