Mystery, Irony, and Imagery in The Cask of Amontillado Essay

Since we do not have suffice information on how Fortunato insulted him, Montresor may be exaggerating on a few parts and wants to be the hero of his own story. This may have led to the reason why Montresor tells his story years later; Guilt built up because the way he was supposed to kill Fortunato did not end up the way he wanted. He is not satisfied because Fortunato did not suffer when he was supposed to be plastered up without food or water in the catacombs for days before his death, yet he died quicker than Montresor expected (par. 89). When a person seeks revenge, they want to savor every part of it and see the person suffer, but not die…quick. Apart from Fortunato not suffering, Montresor was backing up from his own plan to get his revenge. Montresor was slowed down every time he would ask Fortunato if he wanted to go back. Occasionally, Montresor would command Fortunato, “Come, we will go back; your health is precious (par. 35).” According to his own words, Montresor hesitated whether he wanted to go through with his revenge, and that was against one of the three features that he considered essential for it to be a

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.

In the process, of carrying out his malevolent plans, it is evident that no positive intentions or the desire to change his mind ever took place. He was determined and had the perfect plan to inflict pain, and to ensure Fortunato’s death. The wicked and evil soul of the narrator becomes apparent with every step the two “friends” take on “the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors.” Although the narrator superficially demonstrated concern for Fortunato’s health and with “decision” he offers to go back on many occasions, his intentions were opposing. He finds pleasure and indulges in the idea that Fortunato tied up to the granite wall will not be returning, thus, with great enthusiasm and determination walls up the entrance of the niche.

To cover his tracks, Montresor plans his murder during the Carnival season, reasoning that during the festivities, Fortunato will drink wine and impair his judgement. During this time, Montresor encourages the servants to leave the house so there will be no witnesses to his crime (May). To lure Fortunato away, Montresor discerned that Fortunato's "weak point" is the great pride he takes in his "connoisseurship of wine" (Poe 91). Because Montresor, himself "skillful in the Italian vintages" (91), shares Fortunato's knowledge of and pleasure in wines, he is well positioned to exploit his victim's vulnerability (Mustafa). Montresor uses both of these incidents to create a perfect scenario by luring an already drunk Fortunato with the promise of a rare wine.

In “Cask of Amontillado” Edgar Allen Poe several illustrates a story about two men, and the revenge found by one. While this story reveals very little about the past of the two men, symbolism allows the reader to find deeper knowledge about them, especially the main character Montresor. While Montresor is seeking his revenge, parts of his family heritage is revealed that symbolizes revenge and passion. This short story reveals a gruesome plot of death and revenge that’s based in the mid 1800’s during a carnival.

Next, Fortunato is to egotistical for him to see the signs of Montressor’s anger toward him. This includes Fortunato not wanting to go home when being asked by Montressor. Fortunato is too arrogant and drunk to see the anger in the face of Montressor; this ultimately costs him his life.

Fortunato makes himself an easy target because he is gullible, too prideful, and he has too much respect for Montresor. Fortunato is a much respected person but does not always make the wisest choices when it comes to talking to other people. When Montresor describes what kind of a man fortunate is he says, “…- this Fortunato- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared.” (1) It is very surprising that Montresor would describe Fortunato as a man to be feared yet still plot revenge against

Fortunato is supposed to be a connoisseur of fine wines and is delighted in the fact that Montresor has the Amontillado. Fortunato cannot resist the desire to taste this wine and he is blind to the fact the he has even insulted Montresor. Poe never discloses the exact nature of the insult. On their way down to the catacombs to find the Amontillado, Fortunato has a horrible cough. All the while smiling in Fortunato’s face and showing concern for his cough, Montresor has a plan.

"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe is a short story about revenge. The story begins light-heartedly but ends in cold-blooded murder. The following summary does no justice to truly reflecting the depth and irony in Poe’s writing, but it allows for a basic understanding of the story’s concepts. A brief biography will follow giving insight into Poe’s life and helping readers understand why Poe wrote the way that he did. His use of irony in “The Cask of Amontillado” helps develop the setting, characters, and dialogue of the story.

The-Cask-of-Amontillado is among the more dark stories by Poe as the story’s theme of revenge leads to an atrocious murder of Fortunato. It depicts merciless vengeance as an element of unforgiving punishment as the story’s main character Montresor appears to be offended by his long-time friend Fortunato but does not fully explain the motives that lead him to commit such an act of revenge. “He simply tells us that he has been insulted” (Kirkham, 1987). The story first person view short story is about a premeditated murder by Montresor who is not reliable as a narrator. For example, his tendency is to harbor and exaggerate grudges.

Montresor comes up with a plan that will trick Fortunato into believing that he is doing his friend a favor, but instead is a well-calculated scheme to exact vengeance and cause him to die. Despite the fact that Montresor appears to be concerned for Fortunato's health, he is cunning and filled with anger. Montresor continuously preys on Fortunato's anticipation and desire to taste such rare liquor, often using reverse psychology to

In the sinister days of Poe, laughter and good times were seldom present. Even during the [], not everyone was happy. These times unfold in front of us as Edgar Allen Poe vividly describes the story. Montresor had been at the wrong end of the joke far too many times. Unfortunately for Fortunato, the cause of these disturbances, Montresor had enough. He birthed a plan for revenge. Revenge has always played a part in society. Sometimes it can get carried away whether you realize it or not.

Montresor gives me the impression of a cunning guy camouflages under the shape of a gentleman. He is a scheming and patient man when hiding his hatred feelings in front of Fortunato. He even pretends to care about Fortunato’s health to strengthen his believe in friendship. At the end, Fortunato has no clue that Montresor wants to kill him. Montresor, finally, still wants to appear like a sane man despite commiting serious crime. The intelligence and carefulness are expressed through his perfect plan. Montresor takes avantage of knowing Fortunato quite well that he always considers himself as a connoisseur of wine but a “quack” in many ways and prepares a fake story to deceive him. Moreover, wine knowledge is the pride of Fortunato; therefore,

However, Fortunato is unaware about Montresor’s plot for his death. Montresor’s acknowledges, “He must not only punish but punish with impunity” (Poe 162). He wants to avenge but does not want to get punished back for his wrongdoing because he thinks that he is right in his decision to kill Fortunato. Charles N. Nevi mentions, “Fortunato, of course, is the uninitiated who hears but does not understand. Montresor is the initiated who hears and understands all”. Montresor never lets Fortunato suspect his hatred towards him and urges Fortunato to go inside the vaults. Although their friendship seems alive, a sense of hatred and envy has demolished their friendship. “Just as Fortunato displays a concern for the distinction between an amontillado and a sherry, so too does Montresor displays a concern for the distinction between an authentic, mature, and refined friend” (Lewis 180).Thus, this metaphor reveals that Montresser is jealous of Fortunato’s superficiality.

Edgar Allan Poe is, probably, the most recognizable name when it comes to literature. Whether it be a short story, poem, dialogue, or novel. Can I even dare say he may be a on the same level or even a level above Shakespeare; they both are known for their twisted yet beautiful writing styles. In Poe’s, probably most graphic and heart twisting short story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” he gives us a timeless tale of how revenge is a dish best served cold. He pulls readers in with the dark yet hopeful feel to the story. Poe demonstrates his daring writing style by creating strong and mischievous feeling characters and manipulating readers using imagery that is so chill inducing to readers of all ages. Last but certainly not least Poe, cannot stop giving readers enough, manipulates his use of pathos to keep the reader intrigued.