Symbolism In The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe

The short story, The Cask of Amontillado, was made by Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar grew up in Richmond with his father after his mother died in 1811. After a short time of being at the University of Virginia, he went to Boston to start publishing his work. His adopted father sent him to West Point but was expelled, moving to New York. Poe would marry his thirteen year old cousin, Virginia Clemm. One of his famous poems is the Raven, which was made in 1845, Poe died 4 years later due to alcoholism. Poe is known for his suspense and his symbolism. In the Cask of Amontillado the theme is that revenge can consume a man to the point of ultimate obsession. This will be shown in the setting, the characters, and the symbolism. Where does the Cask of Amontillado

He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine.
(Meyer 194)
This showing that he became so obsessed with killing off Fortunato for an insult. It also shows us that he would go to great lengths so that he will not be caught. Especially when he brings Fortunato down to the cellar so that he can bury him alive.

Edgar Allan Poe is a master of symbolism especially in this short story. When Edgar Allan Poe goes from the happy and joyful carnival, to the damp, dark and cold cellar that has casks of remains. Even the title, The Cask of Amontillado, foreshadows into what will happen in this story. A cask being a coffin, the amontillado being the wine or the lure to bring Fortunato into the cellar. I said to him: “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you looking to-day! But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado and I have my doubts” (Meyer 194). Also when they are walking down to the Cellar, Fortunato asks what the logo of the Montresor’s family are. Montresor replies by saying “Nemo me impune lacessit.” Which the book explains saying no one wounds me with impunity (Meyer 196). This is also when Montresor talks about not just punishing but with impunity (Meyer

From the setting, the characters, and the title. This also shows that Poe believes that people that are so obsessed with revenge it is their whole goal to finish that job- whatever means necessary. Though, Montresor at the end of the story was rethinking his thought process of taking his revenge but, he put in the last piece of stone to show that his work was all over (Meyer 194). Montresor even had a subtlety of respect and honor to Fortunato. So, even if revenge seems like the perfect option, it will consume you whole, engulfing your whole personality, and your only desire to achieve that