Why do so many people take vengeance into their own hands? Perhaps it gives them a feeling of justice and a way to cope with their injuries. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” the main character Montresor acts out his sweet revenge on an unsuspecting Fortunato. In this story written by Edgar Allen Poe, the author creates a mood of a suspenseful and creepy feeling to accompany his theme of revenge. First of all, Poe accomplishes the mood of suspense through his excellent use of imagery. One example of imagery is when the main character is taking Fortunato into the catacombs of his palazzo. As they were passing down “a long and winding staircase” into the “damp ground of the catacombs” (Poe 347). He expressively put the image of the setting of the 2 characters, and this build up suspense. The thought of long winding stairs leading into catacombs. Poe also makes the reader have a gruesome feeling by imagery. As the narrator takes his unsuspecting victim down through the “Cavern walls” which had “white web-work which gleams from these walls” …show more content…
The narrator said that he was concerned over the well being of his so-called friend. Montresor stated that Fortunato's “Health is precious…. beloved” (Poe 347). The irony in all this is the narrator is trying to murder his “friend,” he doesn't care what the condition of Fortunato's health. He acted as if he actually cared about him, so his friend wouldn't suspect anything. The irony is used all over this text was very expressive and his irony. Another very ironic comment from Montresor was when Fortunato was taste-testing the Amontillado wine and the narrator added to his cheer by stating “‘And I to your [Fortunato] long life.’” (Poe 347). The author put in this very ironic remark to build suspense and that gruesome feeling of not knowing what is going to happen next. It is also ironic in the way that in the end of the story Fortunato's life is
There was never a scarier writer than the mysterious Edgar Allan Poe.One of his many great stories includes”The “Cask of Amontillado”. This is a story of two men that are friends. One of the friends, Fortunato insults Montresor in either a physical or verbal way. Edgar Allen Poe loves to keep reader wondering so he leaves the insult pretty open-ended. Later on in the story, Montresor looks to get revenge on Fortunato in a very clever and deceitful manner. Through his use of carefully constructed foreshadowing, symbolism, and irony, Poe creates a mood that is both chilling and horrifying in “The Cask of Amontillado”.
The dialogues between the two men and the opposition of their characters as well reveal the leitmotif of irony throughout the story. Montresor offers various hints and observations with a hidden meaning to his victim, and Fortunato’s ignorant reaction to them creates the impression of innocent mockery that only adds to the tension between the antagonists. The heraldic emblem of Montresor’s family presents the central object of irony in the conversation between the men (Stepp 447). For instance, when Montresor refers to his to his family heritage, Fortunato does not understand his enemy’s implication behind the family motto: “– And the motto? – Nemo me impune lacessit. – Good!” he said. (Poe 164)
Irony, in the short story, reveals that pride leads to downfall. Fortunato became too prideful to take notice that Montresor was giving him a chance to leave and avoid his fate. While venturing through the catacombs, Montresor took notice of the excessive amount of niter that was causing Fortunato to cough a lot and suggested that they should “ go back ere it is too late”, however Fortunato objected claiming that “ it is nothing”(Poe 65). Since Montresor actually wanted to keep Fortunato in the catacombs, it is ironic he asked him to leave. Nevertheless, Fortunato was blinded by the thoughts of being able to taste the Amontillado that he didn’t want to give into any physical weakness which would interfere with the rare opportunity. He wanted to prove to Montresor that he was a far more superior wine connoisseur. In conclusion, Fortunato's ignorance to Montresor’s many hints only lead him to his death like a lamb to a slaughter. In addition, Fortunato was too immersed in proving his experience in wine connoisseurship to notice Montresor’s indication that he is going to seek revenge. While the two men were trekking
Edgar Allen Poe has wrote many great stories and he does a good job making them feel suspenseful. In class we have read two stories both of which this feeling is portrayed. The first is “Cask of Amontillado” and the second is “Masque of the Red Death.” The one I will be writing about is “Cask of Amontillado”, this is set during carnival which is a giant part where everyone is dressed up and just having the time of their lives. They are not necessarily at carnival but are underground in the catacombs where all the dead bodies were put.
One literary device Poe uses to create a disturbing mood is tone. In the story as Montresor is with Fortunato in the party, as he sees him he says,My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day!” (1). Montresor is using the tone of irony and sounding happy to see him, Fortunato is drunk and that is perfect for Montresor because he will fall into the story of him having Amontillado and he would want some. At the end as Fortunato is struggling to break free Montresor says, “The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labors and sat
The setting Poe chooses for the story adds to the horror. The details of the environment help to increase the feeling of sinful darkness. His use of descriptive imagery help us experience the catacombs ourselves. He sets most of the story in the dark, damp series of winding tunnels of the catacombs. The weather is an example of the sinfulness that exist in the catacombs. Drops of moisture trickle among the bones, and the ground is constantly damp. Poe use these illustrations to remind us the sliminess nature of the catacombs. Through Poe?s use of descriptive detail we get the feeling as if it is us, the reader, who is being led through the crazed corridors of Montressor?s mind.
Poe starts out with a man, by the name of Montresor, wanting revenge on another man, named Fortunato. Most of the story takes place deep in the Montresor family catacombs. As Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs, he chains Fortunato up to a small hole in a wall, bricks it over, and leaves Fortunato to die. Even through the traits of anger, hatred, and revenge, as the story progresses on, Montresor, the main character in “The Cask of Amontillado”, starts to show signs of feeling guilty for wanting to murder Fortunato.
The reader is shown how Poe intended you to feel as if you were in the catacombs as well through this gothic literature. While Poe made the setting a critical factor in this story, he also provided the readers the main character’s point of view.
He will soon learn that this is the one biggest mistake of his life. All of these foreshadowing events build suspense and tension into every single bit of Poe’s story, and this intense suspense is what grabs the reader’s attention and keeps them reading for more.
Edgar Allen Poe is a famous writer, who writes scary stories. One of his most famous stories is “ The Cask of Amontillado”. This story is about a murderer called Montresor who wants to take revenge from Fortunato and kill him. Thus, this mysterious and revenge story has a dark tone fulfilled with ironies. Verbal, situational and dramatic ironies have given a macabre atmosphere to the story.
In the short story “Cast of Amontillado”, by Edgar Allan Poe, the author emphasizes through the use of irony the idea that revenge can consume an individual. In the text it states that the main character, Montresor, had a desire for revenge. During the night of Carnival, Montresor lures Fortunato into these catacombs by telling him about a certain wine. Fortunato, being a wine enthusiast, takes the bait ultimately leading to detrimental outcomes. Through the use of irony, the reader fully comprehends the evil intentions of Montresor.
Fortunato laughed in Montresor’s face about his family name, which is fairly degrading and implies that Fortunato is being disrespectful towards his family. As a result of, Montresor finally wants to get revenge on him. In the beginning, the story insinuates that this isn’t the first time Fortunato has insulted Montresor. Montresor has always looked past his insults, but now he is ready to get his revenge, which is understandable. Overall, Fortunato wasn’t a considerate friend or even a benevolent person.
What limits might one reach to seek revenge on an enemy for his or her faults? Edgar Allan Poe portrays such limits in his short story “The Cask of Amontillado.” Moreover, the story is an unforeseen murder case in which the antagonist is unconscious of his coming death. The short story is set in the 1800s during the Carnival setting. In the beginning, Poe quickly introduces a vexed character with evil intentions, which lures the reader in to seek the result. Poe uses many literary devices, such as imagery and foreshadowing, to strengthen his story. Throughout the entire story, however, Poe advances the plot with the use of dramatic irony through Montresor’s false greeting, Montresor’s deceitful nature, and Fortunato’s given name.
Vengeance, the influence of words and the atrocities people will commit to obtain emotional closure are some ideas explored in "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe. It is almost difficult to place the two main characters into the categories of protagonist or antagonist because of the extreme faults and evildoing by both. Montresor, a man who feels insulted after suffering much abuse from a friend named Fortunato, develops an elaborate plan to murder this acquaintance. After a suspenseful evening spent together, Montresor brings Fortunato down into underground catacombs where he then seals off the only exit and leaves Fortunato to die. The idea that small insults and abuses may build up to cause a massive reaction is a main theme in
While Fortunato and Montresor and rested for a short period on their way to the supposed Amontillado, the two drank a bottle of wine and made a toast. Here Fortunato says, “I drink to the dead who lie sleeping around us” (Poe 70). This is ironic because the victim is completely ignorant that he too will be one of those unfortunate dead to whom he is toasting. Another use of irony can be found hiding in plain sight. The name of the victim is Fortunato which means “happy” or “successful” in Italian (Cambridge Dictionary). Given the character’s tragic fate, it is clear to see that he was, in fact, not “fortunato” at all; thus, the name given to the character was another ironic ploy of Poe. The rampant irony in this story lightens the story’s mood with dark humor and heightens the audience’s engagement with the text by giving them a sense of knowledge over the Fortunato who is completely ignorant of Montresor’s impending