What Does Montresor Symbolize

“The Cask of Amontillado” is a ravenous and dark story by Edgar Allen Poe. The story tells of a man bound to find vengeance for the heinous crime of humiliation. Poe’s beautiful imagery and stunning symbolism only add to this already impeccable story. Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” displays multiple symbols through Montresor in three key ways: his thoughts, his words, and his actions.
First, Montresor’s thoughts symbolize his true hatred. This is clearly seen in the first paragraph of the story, before the reader even gets a chance to meet the victim. Montresor states in his thoughts to the reader, “But when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge”(236). Since this thought is given at the very beginning of the story, readers can

conclude that this thought of revenge represents his absolute hatred of Fortunado. Another instance of his thoughts symbolizing anger is found in the very same paragraph. Montresor states, “I must not only punish, but punish with impunity,”(236) which is a clear indication that not only does Montresor want to kill Fortunato, he wishes to kill Fortunato without being caught or punished.
Furthermore, Montresor’s words symbolize just how witty and clever Montresor is.

This can be clearly seen in paragraphs five to eighteen when Montresor is telling Fortunato of the Amontillado he bought. Montresor states, “‘My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met… I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado,’”(237) because Montresor knows of Fortunato’s sweet tooth for alcohol. Since Montresor knows how to play on Fortunato’s addiction, the reader can conclude that his words represent his wit. The second case of his words representing how clever Montressor is can be found in paragraph forty-nine while they are walking through the catacombs. Montresor is describing his coat of arms’ motto and says, “‘Nemo, me impune lacessit,’”(238) which is Scottish for no one dare attack me with impunity, seeing that Montresor is just about to do so to Fortunato, the reader can collect that these words represent his quick-witted and clever

nature.
Moving right along, Montresor’s actions give way to his ultimate goal, killing Fortunato with impunity.

Aforementioned, Montresor wishes to get revenge on Fortunato, yet in paragraph two we learn the reason for his good behavior towards Fortunato. Montresor states, “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”(236). Since the reader knows Montresor wishes to kill Fortunato, the reader now knows Montresor’s actions represent his ultimate goal of obtaining revenge with impunity. The next instance of his actions representing his revenge with impunity is found in paragraphs sixty-seven to seventy. As Montresor describes their walk through the crypt from, “the most remote end of the crypt there appeared another less spacious,”(239) by this action, leading Fortunato to a less spacious and remote crypt, the reader can gather that his action represent the isolated and remote location necessary to kill Fortunato with

impunity.
“The Cask of Amontillado” displays a tragic and grand story by Edgar Allen Poe. Montresor, bound to get revenge, finds his vengeance complete, and the poor drunken Fortunato has not the slightest clue as to the sluggish death that will find him. Poe’s remarkable imagery and breathtaking symbolism provide a more detailed and clever take on traditional stories. As seen in this essay, Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” has multiple symbols, most notable is found in Montresor’s thoughts, words, and actions.