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Notes the theme of revenge in the cask of amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
The cask of amontillado essay by edgar allan poe
The cask of amontillado essay by edgar allan poe
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Edgar Allan Poe 's The Cask of Amontidillo is a horror tale that contains many gothic elements. Poe’s terror-inducing story is filled with dark imagery that includes underground chambers, a costume-filled carnival, and sudden betrayal. He creates a world in the mind of the reader by using gothic literature traditions like irony, puns, double entendre and foreshadowing. He also utilizes the themes of obsession, premature burials, and the temperance movements to share his thoughts with the reader (Richards 2). These different elements work together to show the underlying twist in the story. Although they differ, these elements also firmly connect, as one element leads into another. However, revenge is the main theme and motive in the tale that …show more content…
The reader suspects the "unfortunate fate", of Montresor’s friend Fortunato, from the very beginning. It is ironic that the opening setting of the story is at a carnival, where Fortunato, is dressed as a cheerful court jester. Montresor preys upon Fortunato’s state of drunkenness, and his love for wine, which Montresor uses to lure Fortunato into his gruesome death. At the start of the story, Montresor shows a keen interest in punishing Fortunato. However, how he was to carry out the plan is not revealed until the conclusion of the story when Fortunato is then incarcerated and left to die in the catacombs (Poe 3-10). Poe manages to connect two different elements into one; he connects human’s psyche with the environment into a story full with irony and cruelty as a result of desire for …show more content…
Fortunato even provides jokes about it, Montresor does not confirm the joke on, ‘a very good joke indeed-an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo’ (Poe 10). The carnival proved to be a great opportunity for him to enact his plan, as people would not be concerned with two friends disappearing for a drink. Fifty years later, when he shares the story, he utters the words, ‘rest in peace’. (Poe 10) However, it is not evident whether he clearly feels remorse for what he did to Fortunato and is seeking peace for himself or if he is saying the words for the dead (Sova 43). In a sense, he really does feel remorse. For example, the bad image he created for himself cannot be erased, but it would also speak to the fact that there may be a crumb of something sane and human within
He gives very little information about Fortunato, past that he is a wine connoisseur. There is no mention of what Fortunato does for leisure, his family, or even his job. In fact, the only details the reader receives on Fortunato paint him as a fool, with his costume, his drunken attitude, and obliviousness Montresor is focuses on the facts that make Fortunato look bad; he not only wants Fortunato dead but he also wants Fortunato’s name discredited. Montresor tells the reader even less about himself because there is no background to who Montresor is, what he does, or even what kind of contact he has with Fortunato. The only true details of Montresor that are given must be implied and give a sense of intelligence. In addition, he gives little to no details about the carnival, such as where it was, why the carnival was happening, or even why he chose this particular day to enact his plan. From these details, or lack of details, it seems Montresor doesn’t want his audience to know this information. The audience is supposed to simply look at Fortunato a fool and Montresor a genius, the harbinger of death. The facts such as who these people were, the time, or the setting are not important to Montresor’s focus in the
Montresor does not want Fortunato to die from anything other than his own plan of slow death by asphyxiation. Symbolism in "The Cask of Amontillado" This story by Poe has numerous examples of symbolism. For example, the manner in which Fortunato is dressed is ironic for a man with his societal prominence.
When they arrive at the Montresor estate, Montresor leads Fortunato down the stairs into the catacombs. Down here is where the Amontillado Fortunato is going to taste and where the revenge of Montresor is going to take place. As he get closer and closer, the narrator opens up more and more to how he is going to kill his "friend". It sound like it is a premeditated murder. Montresor seems so inconspicuous that he acts like he cares about Fortunato which is still a part of his plan.
In Edger Allen Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado the narrator, Montresor, seeks revenge against his friend Fortunato who he claims had cause him many injuries. The story takes place during carnival time and many are celebrating even Fortunato who was dressed as a clown and wore a colorful hat with bells. Fortunato had been drinking which made him even less aware of any sort of plot against him. Montresor lures him into his wine vaults and easily chains him to a wall deep inside a small crypt. Fortunato is too drunk to even comprehend what is happening or even resist. Finally Montresor builds a stone wall confining Fortunato inside to die. In the story we can distinguish many notable characteristics of Montresor. He may be perceived as heatless or even bit psychotic. We can learn about his personality through his motives and actions as the story progresses.
...or mocks him harshly about leaving him there and waits around the newly built tomb to be witness to his victim's dying words. Afterword he recants this entire story in narration on his death bed while mentioning that the wall he has entombed Fotunado isn't been bothered in 50 years. “THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge...For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.”(Poe)
Through the acts, thoughts, and words of the protagonists Montresor, the reader is able to feel the psychological torment that Fortunato is about to endure. The first line in the story Montresor said “The thousand of injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (553). Revenge remains a constant theme through the entire story. Montresor went to great lengths planning the revenge and murder of Fortunato. He knows that during the carnival everyone will be dressed in costume, mask, and drinking. No-one will be able to recognize them. Montresor himself put on a “mask of black silk” (554) and a “roquelaire” (554). He has also made certain that his attendants’ would not be at home, to be sure that there are no witnesses to his horrendous act.
For all he knew, he was being invited to his friend’s place to grab a drink and sort their previous beef out. For both of the characters knew they used to not get along, but as Poe conveys his story, the readers are under the impression that Fortunato is ready to look past their quarrel but Montresor on the other hands, does not let go of arguments very well. When Fortunato arrives at Montresor’s door, he is greeted with a warm and friendly smile, little could he tell what was about to come of him. The reader assumes that Fortunato pretends like the past did not happen and allows Montresor to be so friendly, or so he thinks. In honor of the carnival that was happening this very same night, the two get a drink together, Fortunato more than Montresor. (Foy) Montresor offers him more and more wine. At this point, Fortunato is fairly intoxicated and is very gullible. He is offered some very rare wine by Montresor, and him being the wine lover he seems to be, is all in to get this special wine! Even up to his death, Fortunato seems to be a happy, go with the flow kind of person. He then realizes at the end, that he will be no more in the
The carnival, a public event, displays Montresor’s actions and feelings towards Fortunato in a public setting. He is very cheerful and still jokes around with Fortunato as if nothing is wrong between them “It must be understood, that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good-will. I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.” (1118). During their descent into the Montresor’s family catacombs Montresor’s actions begin to show his true feelings towards Fortunato, as he gives him some Medoc even though Fortunato is already drunk. Montresor is not acting bitter towards Fortunato yet because they are not close enough to where his revenge will take place, Montresor shows false friendship in a sense by continuing to say that Luchresi can tell him if the cask of Amontillado is real or a fake to keep him going deeper into the damp catacombs. Knowing that Fortunato will demand that they continue Montresor is leading him to his death by Fortunato’s own hubris to his
Horror themed stories frighten, scare, or startle the reader by inducing feelings of terror and dread. In The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allen Poe tells the tale of Montresor, a disgruntled noble man who plots revenge on his adversary. Montresor declares that another noble man named Fortunato that has constantly battered him and insulted him. Montresor has plotted his revenge over time and has carefully constructed a plan to blatantly and consciously destroy Fortunato right before his very eyes. The most terrifying aspect of Montresor’s plan is the methodical nature in which he leads Fortunato to his doom. Poe continually builds terror in The Cask of Amontillado, masterfully utilizing plot, setting and symbolism to develop horror in his classic
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.
Because Montresor narrates the story in the first person, the reader is able to perceive his thoughts and understand his motivations and justifications for his ruthless murder in a manner which a third person point of view would not allow. Montresor’s personal narration of the events of the story does not justify his crime in the audience’s eyes, but it does offer a unique opportunity for the audience to view a murder from the perspective of a madman killer. It is Poe’s usage of this unique angle that causes the story to be so captivating and gruesomely fascinating. As the story opens, Montresor explains why it is necessary that he “not only punish but punish with impunity” to avenge for Fortunado’s insult to him. This justification for his crime is a piece of information that the audience is able to learn only because they are permitted inside the mind of the protagonist. In the final scene, when Montresor is carrying out his murder pl...
Fortunato “takes possession” of Montresor’s arm, for which he suffers (716) in order to carry out his plan. Poe’s use of possession and suffer give the impression that Montresor is being afflicted again by Fortunato. Once Montresor reveals this meeting at this evening is no coincidence by divulging he made sure none of his attendants would be home. By giving the direct orders to be home. Poe shows us that Montresor was not respected or feared by his servants’ actions. The servants’ leaving after being given a direct order to stay does give credence to the fact that Montresor must be very methodical and unyielding to his schedule. Only once Fortunato to the catacombs does he betray his own premise. Montresor refers to Fortunato as his “poor friend” (716). At this point Poe has depicted this instigator of a “thousand injuries” as a drunken jester that can barely catch his breath at this point in the story. Now Montresor is showing some sympathy towards him. At this point the transition is complete. Where the two men stopped at the entrance to Fortunato’s tomb, this is the moment that leaves no doubt that Montresor is the villain and Fortunato is the
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” is a frightening and entertaining short story about the severe consequences that result from persistent mockery and an unforgiving heart. Poe’s excellent use of Gothicism within the story sets the perfect tone for a dark and sinister plot of murder to unfold. “The Cask of Amontillado” simply overflows with various themes and other literary elements that result from Poe’s Gothic style of writing. Of these various themes, one that tends to dominant the story as a whole is the theme of revenge, which Poe supports with his sophisticated use of direct and indirect factors, irony, and symbolism.
Throughout the plot, the narrator develops into a murderer who feels absolutely no guilt for his actions and goes through with his messed up plan without hesitation. Furthermore, the readers are first introduced to the narrator's horrid actions and devious plan when he is encouraging Fortunato to continuously consume more and more wine for the main reason of getting him drunk to ultimately make his plan run smoother. The audience sees this in the story when the narrator simplys says to Fortunato, "Drink," I said, presenting him the wine (The Cask Of Amontillado line 93). Although, this quote is simple and to the point it still displays the narrator's crazed mind by forcing Fouranto to consume more and more alcohol to force him into a state of disarray. Also, Poe displays a mood of horror through Montresor’s uneasy words when he is talking about Fortunato struggling by saying, "The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labors and sat down upon the bones"(The Cask Of Amontillado line 178). This quote shows how Montresor is truly taking pleasure in Foruantos discomfort and the uneasy moment when Montresor pauses to enjoy the sound of his victim struggling in his chains. This quote reveals the
The major characteristics of the narrator and main character, Montresor, are anger, hatred, and revenge. In the story, he is angry with Fortunato because he believes that Fortunato has wronged and insulted him many times by saying, “thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could…he ventured upon insult…” (Poe). In addition, Montresor’s hatred for Fortunato goes so far that he believes he must kill Fortunato. He mentions this in the story as, “[y]ou, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat” (Poe). He seems to say that his soul is made of hatred and goes on to say he must give Fortunato the utmost punishment: death. Montresor even shows traits of revenge when he says, “…but when [Fortunato] ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.” and “...I would be avenged…” (Poe). He is saying that he will get revenge on Fortunato, whom he is angry with and hates for being insulted by.