Cask Of Amontillado Literary Analysis

Montresor tells the story in detail of how he leads a man, Fortunato, to his death. Montresor repeatedly expresses the need to kill Fortunato because he has done something to insult him and he must pay for it with his life. Montresor tells readers early in the story that he is going to be lying to Fortunato’s face by acting one way, but thinking about killing him the whole time. He says "I continued, as was my wont, to smile in

A type of dramatic irony in the story can be seen in Fortunato’s attire at the carnival. Fortunato was dressed as a jester, though it was actually Montresor who was laughed at and ridiculed. Professor Charles N. Nevi, of the department of English in Medford, Oregon, writes about the irony in Fortunato’s dress when he says, “Fotunato’s dress is ironic, for a jester is not just a man to be laughed at; he is a man who makes others laugh by being aware of the frailties of mankind and then ridiculing them, but Fortunato is aware of very little and who ridicules nothing. It is Montresor who came closer to the role of jester,” (Nevi par.8). Here Professor Nevi suggests that Montresor is the one who is actually ridiculed and should be a better fit in the jester dress. These examples demonstrate Fortunato’s ironic misfortunes that lead to his eventual death.

Once Montresor states that he will go ask a man Luchresi if he can tell him if his wine is real or not Fortunato is taken aback that Montresor would not just ask him. Montresor knows Fortunato would jump at the opportunity to go to his vaults just to try his wine to prove he knows the difference between Amontillado and Sherry. The entire conversation Montresor continues to lie that he in fact just bought Amontillado and he would rather have Luchresi distinguish it for him because he does not want to interrupt any plans Fortunato had. Montresor declining Fortunato’s request amplifies Fortunato’s desire to go down into the vaults because of his pride being his weakness. Montresor knows that Fortunato is a prideful and he will exploit that weakness to lure him into the catacombs. Now Montresor is feeling as though he has the upper hand now because Fortunato is falling directly into his trap. Montresor finally gives in and allows Fortunato to come down with him to the catacombs, where his vengeance can finally take place.

<br>The way the narrator treats his enemy is one of the clearest examples for ironic elements. When the characters meet, Montresor realises that Fortunato is afflicted with a severe cold, nevertheless he makes a point of him looking "remarkably well". Montresor acts in the most natural and friendly way towards the man object of his revenge, and even praises his "friend's" knowledge in the subject of wines. Also upon their meeting, Montresor begins a psychological manipulation of Fortunato. He claims that he needs his knowledge to ascertain that the wine he has purchased is indeed Amontillado. Furthermore, he acknowledges that Fortunato is engaged in another business (i.e.: the celebration of carnival), so he would go to Luchresi, who, one is made to believe, is a competitor of Fortunato's. To these words, Fortunato is forced by his pride to accompany Montresor to the vaults (where the Amontillado is kept), dissipate his doubts and also to prove his higher status than Luchresi as a connoisseur of wine. In fact, during their way down under in the catacombs, the twisted mind of Montresor, dares to give Fortunato the chance to go back, due to the almost unbearable dampness and foulness rampant in the vaults and Fortunato's state of health. The narrator clearly knows about the stubborn nature of Fortunato, and is

Within Edgar Allen Poe’s work “The Cask of Amontillado” a man essentially murders his friend over jokes that were more or less aimed towards him. We as readers were never completely told what Fortunato did to warrant his untimely death, but we do know whoever the narrator was retelling this ‘account’ to, they steadily become aware that what Montresor was taking as insults most likely were fallacious and erroneous claims and most likely were small jests. From the very beginning, we know that Fortunato did not of his ‘wrongdoings’ which makes the happy jingling bells on his cap even more sorrowful and the story continuation from that point is even darker. The way the narrator tells this story is not in the least bit reliable, but his style

As the narrator, Montresor explains that although a friend named Fortunato has insulted him and deserves to be avenged. However, he has hidden his goal from Fortunato, giving no “cause to doubt [his] good will.” Montresor, aware of Fortunato’s influence, knows he must “not only punish, but punish with impunity.” Instead, he lures Fortunato to his grave with the promise of fine wine.

Foolishly Fortunato followed Montresor into the catacombs thinking that he is just going to get some good wine. There are bones everywhere, dead bodies lying in there tombs and Fortunato believes that he is actually going down there to get some wine. The only source of light they had was the torch that Montresor had. On the way to supposedly get the wine Fortunato is getting drunk out of his mind on the way. And he still thinks that he is down there for some wine!

Montresor seeks vengeance in an amusing way to fulfill his family’s moto nemo me impune lacessit. Fortunato insults Montresor’s family casting impurity among the Montresor name. Fortunato desires for an amontillado wine clouds his mind to any incoming danger. Montresor persuasion and cunning ways lead Fortunato, to an early grave. The grave occupants are none other than Montresor’s own family.

Edgar Allan Poe practices literature within use of the intrinsic qualities that possess the many definitions assigned to the word ‘literature’. Poe is an artist of words. He uses aesthetic, creative works of fiction to tell stories of drama and often horror. Poe’s’ literary genius is translated most commonly through his ingenious poetry and short stories. Consequently, it is his tendency to lace parts of his own personal life and views into his story-telling that causes critics to downplay the true art of the work by Poe. In this essay, the short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” will be analysed to make the argument that Poe is a serious writer through his use of proper literary aspects.

“Beware the fury of a patient man” -John Dryden meetville.com, in the story The Cask of Amontillado Montresor is trying to get revenge on another character. Fortunato in some way insulted Montresor and Montresor waited and took him time to get revenge on Fortunato. In the story The Cask of Amontillado by Edger Allen Poe, Fortunato insulted Montresor and because of this Montresor wants to get revenge on him. When Montresor asks Fortunato to look at his wine he tricks him into going to him catacombs thinking they are going to see the wine when really Montresor was going to kill Fortunato instead.

As the story progresses, Montresor devises a careful plan to lure Fortunato to his death trap, but he is careful enough not to place himself at risk. He approaches him at a carnival, and plays on his victim’s weakness for wine by offering to show him a brand of wine akin to the light Spanish sherry, Amontillado (8). The narrator presents an interesting description of his encounter with Fortunato at the carnival; at first expressing dislike for his friend’s behavior by claiming that he approached him with too much warmth since he was drunk, but then he adds that he was extremely delighted to see Fortunato at that particular moment. This illustrates the depth of Montresor’s desire to exert revenge on his friend, since the sole reason of his pleasure at seeing Fortunato is that he knew his plans had taken off, and he anticipated the satisfaction of the act of brutal revenge.

Edgar Allen Poe does an extraordinary job including all literary elements in his short story "The Cask Of Amontillado". Poe writes with a specific tone in his unusual short story, he repeatedly writes with such unique coldness and darkness. The short story of "The Cask Of Amontillado focuses on Revenge, and the belief that punishment is the moral thing to act on. "The cask of amontillado" is a brilliant story, because it tells of the thoughts of a criminal mind. Edgar Allen Poe does a profound job at exploring the physiological mind of a murderer, which allows the reader to feel a form of compassion and understanding of the true evil in this act of revenge with his proficient use of theme, diction, and characterization.

Ofcourse Montresor knows Fortunato, and Fortunato knows him too. They met multiple times before, in fact, Fortunato is the person who unknowingly got Montresor caught by the church. Everytime they met, bad things happen to Montresor. Montresor again turns to walk away, this time faster. The shop owner tries to calm Fortunato down. The shop owner wouldn’t want to start a ruckus.

In Edgar Allen Poe’s story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” he introduces us to the main character, Montresor, who is out to seek revenge against his “friend” named, Fortunato. Fortunato had wronged Montresor and he refused to let him get away with it. Montresor knows that Fortunato is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to wine, so he uses that to his advantage and that’s how he lures him into his catacombs. Poe demonstrates a motive for murder by incorporating revenge, irony, foreshadowing and symbolism throughout the story.

As I read about different types of literary criticism, I felt compelled to apply the Marxist school of literary criticism to Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado.” The Fortunato character appears to have a rising distinguished social status, a nobleness forming an equality, and or possibly surpassing the Montresor character. This changing social status acts as a symbol of the status the Montresor family name and crest used to have but it’s in decline. The success of the Fortunato creates the thousand injuries that aggravate the Montresor to plot and commit murder for revenge of the Fortunato’s success.