The Cask Of Amontillado Analysis

In the Story "A & P" by John Updike and "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allen Poe show some similarities as well as some differences. Specifically it will identify a character in each story that analyze how different and how similar they are in both stories. The two main characters in the stories both seem to fit in quite well in their setting, and yet they both are have their own very different beliefs and morals. The entire meaning and core of these stories revolves around these two characters and their nonconformity, without them, the stories simply could not exist.

Montresor is trying to lure Fortunato to his vaults by telling him that Luchresi can just come and taste the Amontillado because he knows best. He knows Fortunato will freak out by this statement, and then show Montresor that he is wrong in saying that. Indeed, this leads Fortunato down into the catacombs, just so he can prove Montresor wrong. That 's when Montresor will take his final step in his plan to end Fortunato. This event leads to the most suspenseful part in the short story. The reader doesn’t know what Montresor’s next step is going to be in his plan, along with what stupid move is Fortunato going to take to leading himself closer to his death.

To begin with, Montresor taking revenge on Fortunato is quite evil. When Montresor trick Fortunato down to the cellar by using Fortunato’s ego and taste in wine it is very cool and calculating. In the text Montresor says, “ As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If anyone has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me--.” (Montresor 58) This plays off of Fortunato ego saying somebody else had a better taste in wine then he did. In like manner, Montresor was very happy and excited to see Fortunato during carnival. Which is just an act to lure Fortunato to the catacombs. Montresor says in his head, “ 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.” (Montresor57) Furthermore, Montresor offers many times for Fortunato to turn back because of the cold or of his health. The short story states, “ Come sais Montresor, we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was.” This is cruel because once Fortunato gets to the bottom of the catacombs he will never get to turn back.

Montresor’s actions lend to his vengeful and manipulative nature. He lures Fortunato into the catacombs of his home to carry out his plans to kill Fortunato. In the first step of his plan, he boosts Fortunato’s ego by saying that Luchesi was almost as worthy a judge of wine as he. Then Montresor tricks Fortunato into believing that there is an

<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

The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled — but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

As Montresor narrates towards the beginning of the story he claims, “ It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will… he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.” (Poe 866). Montresor basically explains how he is selfishly acting as if he cares for his enemy when really it is only to benefit him by getting the revenge he seeks. The innocence that he tries to convey shows the Romantic quality of selfishness in the main character.

Throughout the story, a mood is created while Montresor walks the route with Fortunato. As Montresor and Fortunato walk about the route with piles of bones and the stickiness of webs, a very eerie mood was provided.

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.

Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado is thought to be one of his most popular vengeful short novels. The two main characters, Montresor and Fortunato are re-acquainted friends who meet each other at The Carnival. Montresor has intentionally planned to lure Fortunato to his own death by deceiving him to believe that Fortunato is coming to Montresor's family catacombs to taste a fine wine “Amontillado”. After Montresor leads Fortunato into the crypts, Montresor eventually chains Fortunato up in a secluded section and mortars him behind a brick wall while he is still alive. The story ends with Montresor throwing a flaming torch into the small opening while he continues to put the last brick in place, essentially burning Fortunato alive. Edgar Allan Poe creates conflict between characters Montresor and Fortunato which primarily creates the major theme of revenge in this story. Edgar Allan Poe depicts setting in this novel by portraying death by illustrating human bones, within a cold and damp crypt to contribute to the eerie theme of revenge. Montresor's characterization is expressed through the betrayal of his friend, which adds another element to the theme of revenge in this story. In Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe utilizes conflict, setting, and characterization to create a theme of revenge.

  It is a very interesting story that most will not understand until the very end. It may need to be re-read to be fully understood. In the beginning of the story we see Montresor as a kind character. He tells Fortunato that he cares for his health. He says he would not want him to diee because he has wealth and many other things.

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.” (Poe, 234) By this point in the story, Montresor is clearly planning to kill Fortunato. While to Fortunato he appears friendly and cheerful, he is secretly thinking of ways to murder his friend. Montresor does not want Fortunato to suspect anything, as is shown in the sentence, “It must be understood that neither by word not deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my goodwill.”

This proves to the reader, that he cannot move past his actions. The “tragedy is always present” (Davidson 202). It possible the fear of being found did not allow him the opportunity to forget, it is also possible that “Montresor himself has never been able to escape the punishment of his own conscience” (Davidson 203). Montresor may have believed himself to be able to live up to his family’s expectation and carry out such a heavy deed, but like a horcrux, the event has ripped his soul. This is evidenced when the narrator confessed that “my heart grew sick” (Poe 280) after he no longer heard Fortunato responding back to him, only the simple jingle of his hat’s

Knowing that Montresor is not justified for his horrific crime, the reader can begin to see through his deception; indeed, Montresor has been manipulating the reader as well as poor Fortunato, and with Montresor’s false pretenses of friendship and righteousness ripped away, we are able to see the true nature of his soul

After successfully shutting Fortunato in a stone wall, Montresor describes his current state by saying, “I heard only a soft, low sound, a half-cry of fear. My heart grew sick; it must have been the cold.” (Poe 72) He blamed the cold temperature of his surroundings, which confirms that he felt no remorse or guilt over what he did. The fact that Montresor does not care about what is happening to Fortunato after trapping him adds a disturbing feeling to the text. Montresor’s new image as a killer along with his menacing character are major components that contributed to giving the story its sinister tone.