Montresor tortures Fortunato, both physiologically and physically. Montresor clearly gives Fortunato “multiple chances to escape his fate” (Delany 34), as he gives Fortunato obvious clues to his true intensions. These include leading Fortunato into a place for the dead, telling Fortunato not to go due to his severe cough that made it “impossible to reply” (Poe 5) at times, reminding Fortunato of his family arms, mentioning Luchesi, and showing Fortunato a trowel. Montresor seems to receive morbid joy out of the fact that Fortunato is so intoxicated that, just like the foot on Montresor’s coat of arms, he is unintentionally “stepping into his own destruction” (Cervo
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.
He has plotted a revenge for him so that Fortunato could get what he deserved. Montresor planned for Fortunato to get drunk and then lure him to his home where he will kill him . After Fortunato is led back to Montresor’s house be deceiving him and took him to the catacombs of the Mansion where the supposed Amontillado wine is. Montresor was planning to trap Fortunato in the catacombs to kill him, this is an extremely horrible death. Dying of starvation or thirst would be a painful way to go especially in a dark catacomb surrounded by skeletons and the smell of rot and dampness. This is a cruel way to kill someone and as the reader feel like this is alright and we feel for Montresor as he was insulted by Fortunato. Again though, a life is being taken but we don’t mind as Montresor tells us about why he wanted to kill
In The Cask of Amontillado, the narrator, Montresor, lures Fortunato into his wine vaults in order to murder him. The reason behind it is never clearly stated in the text. Montresor merely says, “A thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.” (Poe 1108) Montresor never reveals the exact nature of the insult, nor the multitude of injuries that he had supposedly borne. The audience cannot even be certain that the insult ever occurred. Perhaps the slight is only in Montresor 's mind. Fortunato seems blind to Montresor 's true intentions, meaning he is either completely oblivious and insensitive to those around him, or, what Montresor has deemed a horrible crime punishable by
The start of the story even begins with the narrator articulating that he had finally had enough abuse from Fortunato. What is common in both stories is that after snapping both men continued to smile and play nice in the face of their victims for several weeks. However in “The Cask of Amontillado” this is given in much greater detail. Montresor not only remains civil with his victim but allows him into his home to his cellar. Poe expresses clearly that Montresor not only wanted Fortunato to suffer but to know why he was suffering in every step of the process. Although this is to lure his victim to his untimely fate, Fortunato goes to his death with much ignorance and thereby joy. Poe’s writing for Fortunato is far more grave than that of the old man. One doesn’t appreciate the death as much because of how deadly of a game he is playing into. From a readers perspective, Fortunato walking down to the cellar is like watching a lamb walk into a wolf den; wholly unsuspecting of their outright fate both are set to be slaughtered from their very arrival. The whole tone of “The Cask of Amontillado” is more gruesome in every way compared to “A Tell-tale Heart”. The madness displayed by Montresor is far more intimidating than that of the madman. The reader is less likely to appreciate the madness of Montresor as it is colder and more cruel as they did with the madman. The reader does not
He obsesses to revenge with physically and perfectly, and also enjoys it during the process of the plan. He is not lazy to prepare for revenge, he takes advantage of Fortunato’s pride well and lures him to the vaults. He chews well and enjoys the last moment of his death. In this story “The Cask of Amontillado”, Montresor is described a very callous and cruel man. Poe describes the mental state of a man who is going to kill people horribly and admirably. In addition, his the last word “In peace requiescat!” expresses Montresor’s cruel and horrible character that he is indifferent of his friend’s death he despite killed him. This is the mental state of a man who is going to kill
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe is about a vengeful, manipulative person named Montresor who is plotting to take the life of his friend Fortunato. This story is good for different reasons, one being the plot construction that hooks the reader from the beginning. Another is the three different types of irony he uses: verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony.
Poe's indication of Fortunato's righteousness and Montresor's calculating and thoughtful behaviors implies that Montresor's actions are rooted in a need for revenge rather than madness. Through the constant belittling of those around him, Fortunato supports the assumption that Montresor has valid reasons for desiring revenge. Montresor consistently demonstrates the focus, foresight, and ability to feel that is uncharacteristic a person who suffers from mental illness. "The Cask of Amontillado" ultimately offers a perspective on revenge and murder that is rarely considered by the average
In “Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, both narrators commit murder with different strategies. Though both narrators successfully committed murder, only one of the narrators got caught. The narrator in “Tell-Tale Heart” fails to be an effective murderer; while the narrator in “The Cask of Amontillado” displays that he is a good murderer.
Revenge, a thought that has crept into the minds of almost everyone yet, most would not kill to attain it. Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” depicts the murder of a man named Fortunato at the hands of Montresor. “Revenge” being the justification for this cruel act makes the morals of Montresor questionable and gradually builds to form a terrifying story. The dialogue between the two characters and the imagery used to create the catacombs and the twisted carnival atmosphere ultimately makes up this dark story.
Some people see humans as a bright and inspiring species while some see the human
Montresor woke up at his usual time, about 6 in the morning, on a cold winter day with the ground frozen white.
In the story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe the character Montresor killed a man by the name of Fortunato by chaining him up and walling him in. Montresor did and does not feel guilt for this crime. He did not feel guilt for this crime because he believed he was right for doing so. That reason is because Fortunato insulted him and because they were upper class it was more serious even though it never states in the story of what Fortunato said. Montresor only felt a little guilty and that was when he sealed the last brick down other than that he did not feel guilt especially if he kept it a secret for fifty years. So if you think about it Montresor did not feel guilty other that one split second when sealing off Fortunato from
In “The Cask of Amontillado” there are two characters who show strong character traits. Each character has his own way of showing these traits. Montresor shows his through how he deals with Fortunato’s insults. Fortunato shows his through how easily Montresor manipulates him. Throughout the story Montresor and Fortunato show that they are both very clever, but one of them becomes far more clever than the other. Characterization proves the theme that Fortunato's insults make an enemy of Montresor.
Poe uses Fortunato’s lack of knowledge in the situation at hand to create dramatic irony. Fortunato believes that he is going into the catacombs to drink a fine wine called ‘Amontillado’. He does not know about Montresor’s plan to trap him in the catacombs. The reader knows about Montresor’s true