Anger leads to revenge, but sometimes revenge can lead to death. The reason for this anger is because Fortunato insulted Montresor, so he decided to kill him for revenge. Several events unfolds his plan like venom that slowly leads to death. In the short story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” by Edgar Allan Poe, he builds suspense which slowly develops the theme of revenge and reveals the mood of creepiness.
Suspense starts when the protagonist, Montresor, starts leading Fortunato through the catacombs. As they walk, he gives a impressionistic description of the catacombs. According to the text, “I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed. We came at length to the foot of the descent, and stood together on the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors”(pg.3). This shows a moment of eerie suspense slowly
…show more content…
Because Fortunato is so drunk and gullible, he doesn’t notice as Montresor deliberately chains him against the wall. It states, “In its surface were two iron staples...from one of those depended a short chain from the other a padlock. Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it. He was too much astounded to resist”(pg.6). This shows how chaining Fortunato up contributes with the suspense and creepy mood of the story. Moreover, Fortunato becomes conscious again and starts to scream, but Montresor joins in with Fortunato’s screams. It also states, “A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back...I replied to the yells...I reechoed---I aided---I surpassed them in volume and in strength”(pg.6). This is important because it shows how it affects the mood. Lastly, Montresor’s procedure also helps with the mood and suspense, but it slowly develops the theme,
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
In addition, at the end of the story when Montresor is sealing up the wall that Fortunato is trapped in, he throws a torch in and Montresor heard a “succession of loud and shrill screams.” He “hesitated” and “trembled” because it startled him to hear such horrible screaming. (Poe, par. 77). This sentence has a climactic mood to it because it makes us readers worry whether Fortunato is going to live or what will happen if/when he dies. The two of these quotes create suspension as to what could happen next because of what these characters are physically
He had to suffer from the mental aspect of the descending pendulum. In another one of Poe’s works death is also present. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor, the narrator, plots a revenge against his secret enemy Fortunato. Montresor feels Fortunato has insulted him one too many times. Part of Montresor’s plan is to lure Fortunato down into the catacombs.
Next, Montresor replies, “It is this, I answered, producing from beneath the folds of my roquelaire trowel.” (239). Although Fortunato does not understand that Montresor has lured him into the catacombs of his home with the intentions of murdering him, but the reader knows
Everybody will eventually want revenge on an old friend or just someone they know. Montressor, similar to many people in the world, wants revenge on one of his old friends, Fortunato. The story opens with, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (Poe 212). In this statement, Montressor tells the reader what the cause of his revenge against Fortunato is. “The Cask of Amontillado”, written by Edgar Allen Poe, tells the story of how Montressor brings Fortunato into the catacombs to bury him alive.
Mood is what draws a reader’s emotion to a story. The mood sets the scene for a story to play out on. In “ The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe there is a strong mood that drives the story. The mood is dark, angry, and mysterious. Key details and scenes help illustrate the mood.
As readers, we have no idea what Fortunato did to Montresor or his family name to drive him to such revenge. Poe hints at certain things, from revenge and the family crest to his arrogance of insisting that Fortunato penetrate the Montresor vault to acquire the esteemed Cask Amontillado. "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge" (1126). The only clue is that Montresor systematically closes up Fortunato in a bone chamber perhaps with others who have wronged his family in the past. However, due to the reader's not knowing his true injustice, his murder seems unjustified and maybe even cruel to some
In “The Cask of Amontillado”, Edgar Allan Poe displays the theme of revenge and manipulation. The narrator Montresor pledges revenge on Fortunato for an insult that is never explained. He maintains an appearance of goodwill towards Fortunato and decides to make use of Fortunato's weakness for fine wines against him. During the carnival season, the narrator approaches Fortunato, telling him that he has come across something that could pass for Amontillado a rare and expensive wine. Fortunato being excited about the news insists on accompanying Montresor to the vaults to determine whether it is Amontillado or not.
Montresor has wrath toward Fortunato for insulting and treating him less. Fortunato was tricked into thinking a different result would happen than his death. Montressor tried to make his own justice of the situation ‘’ At length, i will be avenged. ‘’ pg 83 Poe showing he's going to get back at Fortunato for what he did. “He did not perceive that my smile was at his demise’’
Fortunato was drunk and didn’t know what was going on, so Montresor took advantage of Fortunato’s state of well-being and tied him in a niche. “Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it. He was too much astounded to resist. Withdrawing the key I step back from the recess.” (pg 6)
Montresor told Fortunato that he is a “rich, respected, admired, beloved” (86) man. He does not actually think that. When he says he “must not only punish” (83) Fortunato, but he must “punish [him] with impunity” (83), which he does. The first step in Montresor's plan is to get Fortunato to go in the catacombs. He says to Fortunato, “Come, we will go back, your health is precious” (86).
The clumsiness of Fortunato and the outline of the murder in the catacombs are effectively shown in order to lead to the impulsive shock that Poe eloquently provides at the dénoument. Montresor is increasingly maniacal with each rigorous facet and perpetual action he takes to make sure his dear enemy pays. Although, his thoughts may represent how many people think, they also convey the state of action people are willing to take for animosity. In this story bitter murder solved a dilemma between two enemies but in reality cases may vary. The thought of a human can stun many to the point of
Fortunato is a fun loving character who is able to live life almost carefreely. However, Fortunato is also full of ignorance in regards to his current position with Montresor, especially when he is drunk. Due to his persistent ignorance and pride, Fortunato fails to see any danger or harm that he faces; instead, he only sees the hope of tasting a rare wine despite the obvious signs to the contrary. He misses his chances to turn back and his chances to escape, instead, Fortunato invests himself fully in the venture. By the time he realizes his ignorance, Fortunato finds himself chained to a wall while another one is being built in front of him.
The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is considered by some critics to be a deathbed confession of a successful revenge (Jacoby, 1). The protagonist Montresor does indeed successfully kill his enemy Fortunato. However, Jay Jacoby in the article “Fortunato’s Premature Demise in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’” claims that Montresor’s attempt at revenge was a failure. In his thesis, Jacoby argues that “Montresor posits two conditions for revenge,” (Jacoby, 4) one of which was not met.
“Revenge is a dish best served cold” is a quote we hear in action movies, detective shows, and other forms of entertainment. Action movies however are not the only places where revenge is a common element, and while it may not be as extreme, we see it in our everyday lives. People can relate to someone like Montresor from The Cask of Amontillado in the sense of people wanting to get back at people who have wronged them, but murder is typically out of the question for verbal insults. In the story, Montressor believes that he has been extremely slandered by a former friend Fortunado, and wants to get his revenge. He meets him at a party and claims that he has stumbled upon a ton of Amontillado, but isn't sure and wants a second opinion.