Revenge

Revenge is considered part of human nature because it is a survival instinct. Humans are inclined to commit acts of savagery because people are delicate beings. The Oxford English Dictionary defines revenge as, “the action of hurting or harming someone in return for an injury or wrong suffered.” Two good examples involve Montresor from the Cask of Amontillado and the unknown narrator from the Tell- Tale Heart. Montresor murders a fellow wine connoisseur because he insulted Montresor in a manner that could not be exonerated. The narrator of the Tell-Tale Heart enacts revenge by murdering an old man for provoking the narrator’s worst fears in the form of a “ vulture eye”. In both of these works by Edgar Allen Poe, the need for revenge consumed their internal fears and insecurities to perform those cruel acts. In the end though, both of the people discussed showed signs of remorse that in a way formed the character.

Montresor was a man who knew his vintage Italian wine along with other men. One of them was a virtuoso in wine, who was named Fortunato. Fortunato often jested and mocked Montresor in ways that were dismissible. But when Fortunato turned to insult Montresor, he followed his family motto. “Nemo me impune lacessit. (No one can harm me unpunished)” Montresor’s family motto suggests vengeance is a common and acceptable way to serve vengeance. The concept for revenge is also analyzed in another scenario. The unknown narrator from the Tell-Tale Heart begins the story pleading his sanity. The narrator confesses the murder of the old man by saying he was not mad when the horrible deed was committed. The reason for

this cruelty was the old man’s filmy blue eye, which is exemplified in the following. “Whenever it fell upon me, ...

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...enge took their toll on the avengers. Montresor felt weak when he was placing the last brick but he blamed it on the dampness of the catacombs. The narrator of the Tell-Tale Heart could hear a heart beating so loud when the police came to investigate. The supposed heartbeat grew louder until it became unbearable by the narrator and he confessed to the police. They thought that revenge would be a way to find justice but instead it hurt them.

In conclusion, in both of these works by Edgar Allen Poe, the need for revenge consumed their internal fears and insecurities to perform those cruel acts. But, both of the people discussed showed signs of remorse that in a way formed the character. It is up to the reader of this paper to determine if revenge is really an aspect of human nature.

Works Cited

Edgar Allen Poe , Cask of Amontillado

Edgar Allen Poe, Tell Tale heart