Revenge, the most common and understandable motive, the thing that makes self-justice lopsided and villains interesting.The Cask of Amontillado”, was written by the famous horror writer Edgar Allan Poe, this short tale focuses on the topic of revenge as a motive, and whether or not revenge is justifiable. At the beginning of this story, Montresor states, “I must not only punish, but punish with impunity” (lines 5-6). Montresor is explaining what will happen to Fortunato for insulting him; this is the earliest case of foreshadowing in the story given that Montresor murders Fortunato. Fortunato is a connoisseur, and a respected one at that, the line “I drink to your long life” (line 98) Is clear verbal irony on Montresor’s part, especially when
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.
Revenge is a common focal point in many short stories. “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and “The Utterly Perfect Murder” by Ray Bradbury are two that come to mind when revenge is mentioned. The two have many similar characteristics that make the concepts they represent difficult to distinguish. While these two stories have many similarities, such as first person narration and a theme of revenge, they are also overrun with differences.
<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
Once Montresor has Fortunato in his home, he begins to express his dark and deceiving humor. I believe this is a necessity and one of the rules that Montresor must follow in order to feel full retribution. Montresor shows us this ironic behavior when he hands Fortunato a bottle of De Grâve to drink. Another humorous point of the story is
Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most celebrated literary authors of all time, known for writing very suspenseful, dramatic short stories and a poet; is considered as being a part of the American Romantic Movement, and a lesser known opinion is he is regarded as the inventor of the detective-fiction genre. Most recognized for his mystery and macabre, a journey into the dark, ghastly stories of death, deception and revenge is what makes up his reputation. The short story under analysis is a part of his latter works; “The Cask of Amontillado”, a story of revenge takes readers into the mind of the murderer.
Vengeance and murder infects the minds of Montresor and Fortunato upon an exchange of insult in Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Cask of Amontillado”. This is the story of pure revenge after Forturano disrespects Montresor. The story follows the characters meeting up at a carnival and eventually the disguised Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs of his home by convincing him that he acquired something that could pass for Amontillado, a light Spanish sherry. Fortunato grows eager to taste this wine and to determine for Montresor whether or not it is truly Amontillado. He leads him back to the catacombs of his home and carries out his plot to bury him alive. Edgar Allan Poe writes from a mysterious first person perspective, uses colorful symbolism and situational irony to present the man's inner self, in turn revealing that revenge is fundamentally infeasible.
To begin with, “The Cask of Amontillado” is a story of revenge in which Montresor, the protagonist, retaliates to the “1000 injuries of Fortunato” (Poe 1) that he had bore; by meticulously planning the murder of his foe. Montresor seeks to avenge the insults made to his ancestral family name by Fortunato.
Edgar Allan Poe’s, “The Cask of Amontillado” (1846) is narrated by Montressor. He is a gothic narrator, as his motives are associated with revenge and mental instability. In fact, the story opens with Montressor’s description of revenge of his friend Fortunato, who supposedly “insulted” him, and he lures Fortunato to his family’s catacombs for his death. However, Montressor is unwilling to reveal Fortunato’s insult and he is uncertain of why he wants to commit the horrendous act. Montressor’s narration is unreliable, and as the story unfolds we deduce his mental state. By carefully analyzing the tale, Montressor’s psychological dilemma encourages us to find the missing pieces of the puzzle and interpret the events in a metaphorical sense suggesting that the events are far less associated with revenge but more with Montressor’s guilt.
The Cask of Amontillado is a short story written by famous poet and author Edgar Allan Poe. This story depicts the search for revenge of a nobleman, Montresor, during the festivities of Carnival. The audience is quickly informed of Montresor’s distaste for his fellow nobleman, Fortunato. While we are left guessing what actually happened between these two men, we do know that it is Montresor’s ego that takes the damage. He was thoroughly insulted by Fortunato.
Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado is a chilling tale of revenge told from the perspective of a demented narrator
“It is always easier to requite an injury than a service: gratitude is a burden, but revenge is found to pay” (Tacitus). People find it easier to be angry and hateful, get revenge and hurt somebody than actually focusing on letting the situation go and being the bigger person. In the short story of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, the readers are introduced to two main characters, Montresor and Fortunato. Poe puts them in a bad situation which leads Montresor hating Fortunato, making it hard on Montresor to let go of the situation. On account of his hatred, he wants revenge. Montresor does not care how he will achieve this, he just knows that he wants the other to suffer. However, Fortunato knows nothing about Montresor's
In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allen Poe uses setting to parallel a world of the living with a world filled with death. In doing so, Poe shows that revenge can drive people to great lengths.
At the beginning of the short story “The Cask of Amontillado”, Montresor is determined to get revenge on his friend Fortunato. Since Montresor only has revenge in mind, he is a static character. Montresor states, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (Poe 3). From the first few moments in the story, Montresor’s true intentions are revealed. Throughout the story, the reader starts to see Montresor’s elaborate plan of revenge and the great lengths he goes through to ensure success. His passion, his follow through, and his determination are all key factors that make him the protagonist in the story as well. ““I had told them that I should not return until the morning, and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the house. These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance, one and all, as soon as my back was turned” (Poe 5). Montresor made sure no one would be home that night to deviate Fortunato’s focus, and to keep him from carrying out his plan of revenge. Montresor also brought a bottle of wine with him to ensure that Fortunato stayed intoxicated. “”A draught of this Medoc will defend us from the damps.” (Poe 6). By continually offering Fortunato the wine, it made his reactions slower, and his thoughts not clear. Therefore, Montresor could carry out his revenge without flaw.
A wise man once said, “ Destroy what destroys you.” destroying what destroys you is a common theme of revenge. When it comes to revenge, The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe is the story to go to. The whole story and plot itself revolve around one word. Revenge. The story is based on Montresor wanting revenge for the one who wronged him, Fortunato. Therefore, the theme of The Cask of Amontillado is revenge. The author Edgar Allen Poe uses different literary elements to create this theme. The literary elements Poe uses include: foreshadowing, suspense, and irony.
Sometimes friends can get into an argument and some things can hurt them, but not to a point where they want to hurt each other physically. Vengeance can bring justice to someone, but as well bring pain to the other. Revenge is a horrible emotion which can lead someone to do horrible things. Two companions, Montresor and Fortunato, destinies are controlled by one thing only, vengeance and murder. In the story, the narrator seeks revenge on Fortunato because he mortally insulted him. Montresor succeeds in luring Fortunato to his death without raising any suspicion. A horrible revenge made significantly more awful by the way that the retribution is being taken when no genuine offense had been given. In the short tale, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar A. Poe, the major conflict of revenge is between Montresor and Fortunato, but it is interesting because Montresor is the only one who is aware of the conflict. The author uses the conflict to build suspense and to change the mood of the reader.