The Theme Of Psychopathy In 'The Cask Of Amontillado'

A View through the Eyes of Another

An FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin contends, “Psychopathy is the most dangerous of the personality disorders. To understand it, one must know some fundamental principles about personality. Individuals' personalities represent who they are; they result from genetics and upbringing and reflect how persons view the world and thinks the world views them” (Babiak 3). In “The Cask of Amontillado”, Poe directs his attention to Montresor who is a man that Fortunato continues to torture with sick and foolish pranks. Very little is recognized that Montresor is a psychopath that will acquire his revenge. Psychopathy is a mental illness that could possibly exist through hereditary and genetics. Montresor’s family motto is,

“Nemo me impune lacessit” (Poe 6). According to Encyclopedia Britannica Online the translation of “nemo me impune lacessit” means, "no one attacks me with impunity”. To further explain, one cannot do wrong and expect to receive no punishments. Montresor is lashing out after quietly sitting back while contemplating his revenge. His motives are provoking his manipulation to “vow revenge” on Fortunato (Poe 3).
Manipulation gives a deceitful motive, especially when involving psychopathology, although one can only attempt, but not always proffer from their decision of manipulation. Montresor’s scheming shows that his manipulation is seen vigorously. He manipulates Fortunato with his smile when yet his only thought was of his “immolation” (Poe 3). Then finally one evening he runs into Fortunato in passing, and chooses to con him into believing that he is receiving the Amontillado he purchased, although he is nervous since he is not as familiar with wine. Montresor remains on the subject and lightly assures Fortunato that Luchesi is perfectly capable of joining him to receive the cask of Amontillado. Little does Fortunato know that Montresor is essentially deceiving him by allowing him belief that wine is his cup of tea (Poe 4). When the manipulation continues to occur, for example, the multiple times Montresor requests that Fortunato should return home due to his cough. Knowing that Fortunato has so much pride in himself to let a little cough get him down Montresor drags on his advantage with him. Jamie Anderson implies, “Psychopathy is a severe personality disorder exemplified by guiltlessness, callousness, self-centeredness, manipulativeness, and various behavioral proclivities, such as impulsivity and aggression” (675). Note that Montresor is using his mysterious manipulation to his advantage as he is conning another into his revenge trap. Fortunato is an Italian man that “prides” himself in his “connoisseurship”, although it allows a trap of manipulation that works to Montresor’s advantage (Poe 3). Similar to a psychopath Montresor leverages manipulation.
Oxford English Dictionary presents that pathological, “is of a person exhibiting a quality or trait to a degree considered extreme or psychologically unhealthy; […] possessed or manifested to such a degree. Psychopathology is an understanding that can reveal pathological liars. Montresor emphasizes, “A draught of this Medoc will defend us from the damps.” […]. He raised it to his lips with a leer. He paused and nodded to me familiarly, while his bells jingled. “I drink,” he said, “to the buried that repose around us.” “And I to your long life.” For Montresor to toast to Fortunato’s long life, although he is aware in his mind, he is out for revenge and will retrieve it unquestionably which shows a strong sign of a pathological liar. Montresor is allowing himself to seem perceiving by being a pathological liar. The argument of proving Montresor is a pathological liar is seen due his intensifying need for revenge.
After committing a murder, a psychopath has no sense of remorse or guilt.

Paul Babiak addresses, “If psychopaths commit a homicide, their killing likely will be planned and purposeful, not the result of a loss of emotional control; their motive more commonly will involve sadistic gratification” (Psychopathy 7). The revenge Montresor is planning to implant on Fortunato was not by chance. He sought out his plot to manipulate, pathologically lie, and send Fortunato onto his death. Afterward, Montresor felt no sense of guilt or remorse. Montresor didn’t show a lack of empathy towards the situation. He admits, “There was then a long and obstinate silence. I laid the second tier, […]; and then I heard the furious vibrations of the chain. The noise lasted for several minutes, […], that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction” (Poe 9). His satisfaction of the furious vibrations of the noise that he stays concentrating on is merely an act of feeling no sense of remorse, guilt, or empathy towards the suffering he is causing Fortunato (Poe

9).
Gregory Carey and David L. DiLilla acknowledge in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology that, “Heredity is also important for utmost forms of psychopathology and plays a major role in several theories that relate personality to psychopathology”. While entering the catacombs, Montresor tells Fortunato about his family motto “nemo me impune lacessit” (Poe 6). In English this means, “no one provokes me with impunity”, therefore one cannot do me wrong and expect to receive no consequences (Poe 6). Psychopathology and heredity are currently matching up with each other, in theory, although there isn’t a specific completion yet the personality traits may beg to differ. Montresor points out, “A huge human foot d’or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel” (Poe 6). Montresor is indicating that the family will have revenge on any other who belittles them. While he is speaking of his family’s past it seems to come to up that his family has a history of not only seeking revenge but taking exertion. Genetics, heredity, and family history can all play a role in psychopathology. Montresor’s family is hereditarily and genetically capable of these objectives that point to psychopathology involvement.
Psychopathology involves a number of traits that have potential to link together. For instance, one that is manipulating is somehow connecting to pathologically lying, correct? If a person can manipulate, subsequently they remain giving a false pretense and indicating that they stand to lie, granting they are constantly manipulating another, makes them a pathologically liar. When unable to feel a sense of guilt or remorse there is a possibility of a connection with history and hereditary? In the history of family, there is almost certainly other family member’s descended that may act with no sense of guilt or remorse also, correct? Yes, traits can pass down resembling, including no sense of remorse or guilt, Montresor continues to exhibit the traits of a psychopath since all the traits show a resemblance to one another.
Continuing relentlessly, psychopathology will have results including multiple theories and myths over time.

Expressing that psychologically, psychopathy is a mental disorder that typically has a tendency to lead back to a cell deficiency in the brain. Knowing that what Montresor believes is correct in his mind will show that he may possibly have a cell deficiency. The control the brain has over the mind is fascinating, therefore one can only follow actions that the brain pursues the mind to do. Montresor continues to use his manipulative skills that he is possessing from being a psychopath. He has a lack of remorse and guilt which leads him to happily feel sadistic gratification. Perceiving his revenge, he sub stains to pathologically lying so that he is able to put his revenge into action. Along with the traits Montresor possesses of psychopathology, his family motto “nemo me impune lacessit” has the possibility of maintain a genetic cause due to his family history of exulting revenge on those who treat them wrong. Montresor enjoys the revenge he is instilling on Fortunato, which follows his death. He pushes his family motto to the limits of exactly what it is meant to imply. Noticing that overall, the traits Montresor shows of a psychopath remains certainly made aware

of.