As Montresor is the one that is not drunk, he acts more normally than Fortunato would and therefore shows more character traits. For example, Montresor shows smartness as he manages to get Fortunato into chains, he also shows manipulation as he manipulates Fortunato into thinking that they are friends as Montresor is drunk for the majority of the story making the reader unable to comprehend how he would like normally when the only part in the short story “The Cask of Amontillado” that he is sober is when he has been chained up and about to be buried alive. During this part, the reader still can not understand Fortunato’s character traits as all he does is moan and trash like a normal person would do if they were to be in the same type of
In Edger Allen Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado the narrator, Montresor, seeks revenge against his friend Fortunato who he claims had cause him many injuries. The story takes place during carnival time and many are celebrating even Fortunato who was dressed as a clown and wore a colorful hat with bells. Fortunato had been drinking which made him even less aware of any sort of plot against him. Montresor lures him into his wine vaults and easily chains him to a wall deep inside a small crypt. Fortunato is too drunk to even comprehend what is happening or even resist. Finally Montresor builds a stone wall confining Fortunato inside to die. In the story we can distinguish many notable characteristics of Montresor. He may be perceived as heatless or even bit psychotic. We can learn about his personality through his motives and actions as the story progresses.
The text of this story serves a good example to others who have yet to actually consider their levels of anger and how far they are willing to take their vengeful plans. Before reading this, I had never really investigated what I would do if put in a similar situation and I’m sure I’m not the only person who has never examined this topic. It also makes me curious if anyone has ever read this story and actually viewed Montresor as valid for killing Fortunato. Furthermore, it would be interesting to examine their reason for believing Montresor was not in the wrong and what influences their choice. For example, my upbringing taught me otherwise, but for the person who agrees, how were they
Montresor is portrayed as a man that turns on his former friend, leaving him to die showing little to no remorse for his deed. The reader can use these clues to believe he is insane, or possibly just a heartless person. The reader knows that the two characters had a previous dispute that created tension between the two. Fortunato seems to not be bothered by this previous argument, but Montresor appears to be a holding a grudge to no end. After he had almost sealed Fortunato’s death, he says “My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so.” (169-170) That statement shows the reader that it is not the man he just killed that is making his heart sick, but it is the atmosphere he was standing in. Any man in his right mind, would feel guilty for these actions, but Poe showed through Fortunato, that no guilt was shown whatsoever. The reader does not know if she can trust the narrator because he is obviously a little
The narrator of the story Montresor clarifies to an obscure audience that in light of the fact that Fortunato has mortally offended him, he has pledged revenge. Notwithstanding, he has shrouded his ill will towards Fortunato because he needs to satisfy his promise without setting himself at danger, since the retaliation might not be finished if Fortunato were to counter or if Fortunato died without knowing Montresor to be his killer. He always keeps up an appearance of good wish towards Fortunato and chooses to exploit Fortunato's fondness for fine wines.
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.
He did not show even by words that he is going to kill. Also, he did not let Fortunato to know that he intended any grudge against him “..neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will... He did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation (8-10).” One night while Fortunato was drunk, Montresor told him that he bought a barrel of wine called Amontillado “But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts (25).” He understood that Fortunato “prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine (12).” He attracted him to going to his house to check the drink by saying that he might invite Luchresi to do it, a seeming rival of Fortunato 's, instead “As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchresi. If any one has a critical turn it is he. He will tell me (37-38).” When they left, Montresor put on a mask and quickly took the way to his property. He was sure nobody could see them together on Fortunato 's last night. Moreover, Montresor completely knew Fortunato and used the knowledge versus him. He planned his deed carefully and carried it out slowly. It seems that Montresor anticipated his revenge with joy. While they traveled down the cavern, Montresor gives Fortunato many opportunities to leave. Fortunato looks weak against the niter, which is growing on the walls, and repeatedly coughs. Montresor commented on Fortunato 's health and asked
Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most celebrated literary authors of all time, known for writing very suspenseful, dramatic short stories and a poet; is considered as being a part of the American Romantic Movement, and a lesser known opinion is he is regarded as the inventor of the detective-fiction genre. Most recognized for his mystery and macabre, a journey into the dark, ghastly stories of death, deception and revenge is what makes up his reputation. The short story under analysis is a part of his latter works; “The Cask of Amontillado”, a story of revenge takes readers into the mind of the murderer.
Montresor wanted revenge in a way that no one would know. During a time when everyone normally celebrates, Montresor decided to kill Fortunato when he saw him at the carnival in Italy. He lured Fortunato into the catacomb vault by telling him there was Amontillado wine for him to drink. Fortuna believed him and followed him into the vault. Once he got to the vault and saw there was not wine, Montresor pushed him into a hole in the wall. Next Montresor starting closing the hole up with bricks. As he was finishing, Fortunato screamed for him to stop. Montresor continued then walked away leaving him to
Why is Montresor seeking revenge on Fortunato? In the story, Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe, Montresor had been hurt by Fortunato, more like insulted. The narrator(Montresor) leads Fortunato deep into the catacomb; getting him more drunk along the way. The entire trip, Fortunato is talking about the Amontillado; eventually the narrator chains Fortunato to the wall and closes the man sized hole with bricks while torturing him mentally until he begs for mercy. Montresor leaves him there to die and nobody ever finds out because the whole thing happened fifty years ago. Montresor accomplishes getting vengeance on Fortunato because he is sneaky, unforgiving, and insane.
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.
When they arrive at the Montresor estate, Montresor leads Fortunato down the stairs into the catacombs. Down here is where the Amontillado Fortunato is going to taste and where the revenge of Montresor is going to take place. As he get closer and closer, the narrator opens up more and more to how he is going to kill his "friend". It sound like it is a premeditated murder. Montresor seems so inconspicuous that he acts like he cares about Fortunato which is still a part of his plan.
Clearly, Fortunato is intoxicated because he is having a merry time at the carnival. Upon meeting, Montressor takes advantage of Fortunato’s excessive drinking in that he will be taking revenge on Fortunato on that night. Therefore, the carnival setting emphasizes on the theme of revenge. Montressor takes benefit from the catacombs setting, where he uses deception against Fortunato:
Through the acts, thoughts, and words of the protagonists Montresor, the reader is able to feel the psychological torment that Fortunato is about to endure. The first line in the story Montresor said “The thousand of injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (553). Revenge remains a constant theme through the entire story. Montresor went to great lengths planning the revenge and murder of Fortunato. He knows that during the carnival everyone will be dressed in costume, mask, and drinking. No-one will be able to recognize them. Montresor himself put on a “mask of black silk” (554) and a “roquelaire” (554). He has also made certain that his attendants’ would not be at home, to be sure that there are no witnesses to his horrendous act.
Montresor actually makes a comment to Fortunato, along the lines of his name. "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met." This story is what I call dramatic irony. As I previously stated, the readers understand what is going on even when the character does not. Foreshadowing. Another huge literary element. Cask, the first major word in the title of the story, similarly, it almost sounds like casket. Montresor tells Fortunato about the pipe of Amontillado, he has recently purchased. Fortunato 's reply, "How? Amontillado? A pipe? In the middle of a carnival?" The response isn 't necessarily directed at Montresor, as he believed. It was directed towards the fact that wine had been bought while they were in the middle of a carnival. Montresor smiles, all the while he holds thoughts of deception and hatred. He make it seem that Fortunato will have to follow him to prove he is a better option than Luchresi. A man who apparently can 't tell his wines apart. Montresor, has not care for Fortunato, or his health. Yet, he pretends to persuade him to turn back due to a cough. Fortunato denied his request. Fortunato is not aware of anything that is happening to him, because to him Montresor is a friend. Someone who would never hurt him, much less murder