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Is Montresor Reliable

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The lack of mental stability, homicidal tendencies, and the large gap in time, it is safely said that Montresor is not a reliable narrator. It is apparent to the reader that he does not have all his marbles. In what society would someone who is not all mentally there be seen as a reliable source? The fact that he is able to pick up on Fortunato’s weakness and exploits them proves how unreliable he is. “He had a weak point… He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine…” (Poe, 360). Montresor use of verbal irony demonstrates that the murder is premeditated. “... the cough… it will not kill me…” states Fortunato who receives “True-true…” as a response from Montresor (Poe, 362). He exploits this and deceives the man to go down into the caverns that housed the supposed Amontillado. Furthermore, Montresor never tells the reader what Fortunato actually did. He only states, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when ventured upon insult I vowed revenge” (Poe, 360). Insults do not call for homicide. Additionally, it seems to be a retelling from an event fifty years ago. “For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them. …show more content…

In order to have Fortunato follow him home, Montresor asks if he can help him decide if what he bought was an Amontillado. Fortunato has a weakness as a connoisseurship in wine, and agrees to help his friend. Secondly, Montresor continuously mentions how Luchresi could assist Montresor if Fortunato could not. This angered Fortunato, and pushed him to keep going. Fortunato couldn’t have a competitor assist Montresor. His hubris was a leading aspect that led to his death. Lastly, his willingness to drink the continuous offerings of alcohol was an act of manipulation on Montresor’s part. Him being inebriate induced him to stumble, not recognize danger, and to misunderstand the scenario he has put himself into. “He was too much astounded to resist” (Poe,

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