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A Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allen Poe

Decent Essays

In Edgar Allen Poe’s, “A Cask of Amontillado” it is filled with symbolism, irony and suggestion of some sorts. The narrator of the story, Montresor, hides behind a mask, he is part of a different world than others, and is out for revenge. Some might say that he is slick, diabolical, calculative man who is out for revenge with impunity. As his family motto states, “Nemo me impune lacessit,” which means, no one attacks me with impunity. He never states what Fortunato did to deserve the ultimate punishment. He only states that Fortunato has caused him “a thousand injuries.” Montresor’s plan for revenge is very devious, crafty, and manipulative. He plans on encasing Fortunato into the walls of the catacombs for his wrong doings against Montresor. The perfect time for the crime to take place is the carnival season, a time of indulgences. In this case, Fortunato’s indulgence is wine; therefore, Montresor knows that he will be inebriated enough to control him with ease. Poe uses the character’s names as suggestion that Montresor and Fortunato are of …show more content…

After reading the story I came to the conclusion that there is a parallel between the carnival and Fortunato, and the catacombs to Montresor. The carnival is lively, a time of sins of the flesh. It fulfills indulgences, which Fortunato partakes in, especially with wine. The carnival represents life, happiness, and also rose colored lenses that is put on the townspeople eyes from the world below. Montresor intends to use the carnival as a cover up to get Fortunato to come with him to the catacombs to have the finest wine, Amontillado. While the carnival represents Fortunato, the catacombs are the illustrative of Montresor and his mind. The catacombs are lined with remnants of Montresor’s family. The catacombs depict selfish desires, hate, and death. This setting would be the perfect place to kill Fortunato because no one would ever come looking

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