Revenge is a dish best served as cold as the air in the vaults for wine connoisseurs from Edgar A. Poe’s short story “Cask of Amontillado”, the story of successfully implemented murder during the carnival days in the gloomy caves of a city in Europe. The story told by the narrator after “half of a century [while] no human hand has touched [the place of murder]” illustrates that the desire for revenge can darken human’s mind, leading to the crimes that people do not regret about many years after.
From the very first paragraph, the narrator, Montresor, honestly admits the purpose of his cruelness as “thousand injuries of Fortunato” he had borne, and that he “must not only punish but punish [Fortunato] with impunity”. Moreover, Montresor introduces readers as a part of the story he is going to tell and appeals to them as if they met many years before and he wants to find an excuse for the judging that may appear from them – “you, who so well know the nature of my soul”. As a result, Montresor perfectly prepares readers for the long confession for a crime he made.
As the story goes, from the scenes where the narrator asks Fortunato a few times if he indeed wanted to taste the wine Montresor bought for the carnival, as if the
This effect is achieved because of the size of the story and the thoroughly planned ending, which are one of the most important factors for the literature, as Poe once discussed in the “Philosophy of Composition”. For example, Poe says that “if any literary work is too long to be read at one sitting”. This rule was perfectly implemented in the story of the Cask of Amontillado. As a result, such a work is more coherent because readers can remember till the very end the main characters or important details left by an author, unlike in the “War and Peace” by
Montresor, fifty years after it happened, is confessing to the murder of his foe, Fortunato. He justifies his actions by saying that Fortunato caused him a thous...
No matter how well executed, a crime of this magnitude will leave scars on the conscience, thus marring it’s perfection. Conflicting psychological emotions and actions plague the journey causing inner conflict ranging between pity and revulsion by the time the narrator concludes. Notwithstanding the shortage of information on Montresor’s life in the ensuing fifty years since Fortunato’s death; it can be surmised from the events leading to the murder that Montresor does, in fact, have a conscience and that it builds upon itself as the action
The author introduces the readers to the narrator who is known as Montresor when he is talking to an unknown audience. In the course of the discussion with the unknown audience, Montresor attests to the fact that Fortunato, who is a close friend of his has morally insulted. Due to the moral insult labeled against him, Montresor intends to revenge. “Part of Montresor's vengeance plan, however, is to ensure that he does not expose himself neither to Fortunato nor to the society at large” (Johnson et.al, 8). To this effect, he does not let open the ill feelings that he harbors against Fortunato. Montresor asserts to the fact that he would consider his vengeance plan a failure if at all Fortunato found out and exerted revenge. That notwithstanding though, he says that he would let Fortunato know that he is the mastermind of all his misfortunes when he will be satisfied that his vengeance plan will not backfire.
As the story opens, an unnamed narrator first says, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge. ”(164) Montresor who tells the story is taking revenge on Fortunato because he has suffered a “thousand injuries” although he never mentions exactly what happened. Edgar Allan Poe creates a perfect crime in the murder story “The Cask of Amontillado” through the use of a character that exhibits characteristics of a psychopath, a horrifying plot and dramatic irony. Montresor, who confesses his crime without emotion, the story of his killing of Fortunato fifty years before, is a wealthy man living in a large “palazzo” with servants.
Revenge is the opportunity to retaliate or gain satisfaction for a real or perceived slight ("revenge"). In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, Montresor, the narrator, is out for revenge. Montressor seeks revenge against Fortunato and thinks he has developed the perfect plan for “revenge with impunity” (Baym). Montresor never tells the reader why he feels Fortunato deserves punishment. He only says that Fortunato causes him “a thousand injuries”until “[venturing] upon insult” (Baym ?). As a result, Montresor plans to bury Fortunato alive.
...t makes a point to show that Montresor feels that if Fortunato discovers his act of vengeance, he is just as bad as Fortunato. The narrator takes a similar approach in stating how he is calm in recounting the story of how he went about murdering the old man, and how “Whenever (the eye) fell upon (him), (His) blood ran cold; and so by degrees –very gradually- (he) made up (his) mind to take the life of the old man, and this rid (himself) of the eye forever.” (Kirszner & Mandell 331) By stating why the narrator feels the eye has wronged him, he is trying to provide a good reason behind ending the life of an innocent old man. Both of these men provide constant reassurance to not only themselves, but also the reader, that the acts they are committing are done in a way that gives each of them a clear conscious and ability to accept what was done as the right thing to do.
Poe's, The Cask of Amontillado is a story about fear and revenge. The story begins with Montressor's vow of revenge, foreshadowing future actions. "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult vowed revenge..." Montressor had to be sure not to raise suspicion of what he was going to do Fortunato. Montressor knew that Fortunato had a weakness that he could use towards his advantage.
Carefully, cautiously the Montresor plotted precisely how he would exact revenge upon Fortunato. Much time and great energy was devoted to this plan, selecting a time that would be best: during carnival when the town would be celebratory, his servants apt to run off and join the celebration, when the two could silently disappear without notice or question. No detail is forgotten; he allows for no deterrents. He follows through with such a confidence that never does he stumble or hesitate in carrying out his plan. The Montresor indicates that he had never given. To continue with this ploy, he even goes so far as to express false concern for Fortunato as they pass through the catacombs. Blaming the nitre and damp, the Montresor suggests that they turn back as not to compromise Fortunato’s ill health, though he has no intent of doing so. Never once until the very end did Fortunato have cause to suspect that there were any foul plans afoot.
The story begins with, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.” Montresor cites what must have been in his mind, the ultimate betrayal imaginable, at least in his mind. A betrayal that
Poe is credited for defining the modern short story. In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, he tells a tale of revenge. The story begins with Montresor, our narrator, stating that Fortunato, his enemy, has insulted him and how he seeks revenge. It continues by describing how Montresor leads Fortunato to his death by using reverse psychology and alcohol. “The Cask of Amontillado” conveys an eerie mood to its audience through dialogue and descriptive details.
Because Montresor narrates the story in the first person, the reader is able to perceive his thoughts and understand his motivations and justifications for his ruthless murder in a manner which a third person point of view would not allow. Montresor’s personal narration of the events of the story does not justify his crime in the audience’s eyes, but it does offer a unique opportunity for the audience to view a murder from the perspective of a madman killer. It is Poe’s usage of this unique angle that causes the story to be so captivating and gruesomely fascinating. As the story opens, Montresor explains why it is necessary that he “not only punish but punish with impunity” to avenge for Fortunado’s insult to him. This justification for his crime is a piece of information that the audience is able to learn only because they are permitted inside the mind of the protagonist. In the final scene, when Montresor is carrying out his murder pl...
The major theme in the story is the deep hatred buried within the outwardly congenial Montresor. This makes it vital that the story be told with Montresor's thoughts known to the reader. The tale simply would not work if it were told from Fortunato's point of view, or from a dramatic/objective angle. An omniscient view would function, but by knowing only Montresor's thoughts the reader develops a trust in him, and this causes the story's theme to have a more personal effect on the reader.
In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor sets out on a vengeful mission that will end Fortunato’s life in an untimely fate. Montresor appeals to Fortunato’s love for wine to tempt the unsuspecting fellow to his impending doom. While Montresor tricks the foolish Fortunato frightfully, it is ultimately Fortunato’s pride that leads to his demise in the crypt. Poe uses several literary devices to foreshadow this murderous exploit of Montresor. Through the use of irony, symbolism, and imagery, the story entices readers to delve into the relationships and differences between Montresor and Fortunato.
The first indirect factor that could contribute to Montresor’s vengeful act, and thus the story’s theme of revenge, is the character of Montresor. Montresor tends to harbor feelings of resentment and has a hard time not taking things out of context (Womack). He also plans the murder of Fortunato in advance and devises it in such a way that he will not be caught. In killing Fortunato, Montreso...
The major characteristics of the narrator and main character, Montresor, are anger, hatred, and revenge. In the story, he is angry with Fortunato because he believes that Fortunato has wronged and insulted him many times by saying, “thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could…he ventured upon insult…” (Poe). In addition, Montresor’s hatred for Fortunato goes so far that he believes he must kill Fortunato. He mentions this in the story as, “[y]ou, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat” (Poe). He seems to say that his soul is made of hatred and goes on to say he must give Fortunato the utmost punishment: death. Montresor even shows traits of revenge when he says, “…but when [Fortunato] ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.” and “...I would be avenged…” (Poe). He is saying that he will get revenge on Fortunato, whom he is angry with and hates for being insulted by.