The Methods of Revenge in Works by Hawthorne and Poe Rappachini’s Daughter and Cask of Amontillado both possess the ideals of one of the most often human emotions, revenge. Both works involve main characters, who were wronged in some way by another character. Although by different authors, both stories posses the same main ideals. Both Baglioni of Rappachini’s Daughter and Montresor of Cask of Amontillado take their revenge due to an antagonist’s action towards them in their past. Baglioni has a heated rival in his counterpart, Doctor Rappachini in addition to Montresor has Fortunato, who wronged him in the past. Both use a sort of deceit into getting their revenge by Montresor using a trap and Baglioni using a deceitful antidote. Despite differences in the nature and its effects of the revenge, both Baglioni and Montresor are similar in cause, method and outcome. First, the differences between the two works of literature start in the two character’s quest for their revenge and the nature of the revenge. First, Baglioni uses an indirect way of getting his revenge on Professor Rapacchini. Baglioni gives Giovanni a “small, exquisitely wrought silver vial” which, “would have rendered the most virulent poisons of the Borgias innocuous”(Hawthorne 1060). So by giving Giovanni the antidote, (which ultimately kills Beatrice) Baglioni uses a vehicle other than himself to get his revenge. In laments terms, Baglioni indirectly obtained his revenge. When Beatrice “shuddered nervously and pressed her hand upon her heart”, Baglioni shouted with happiness as he finally received his revenge on his rival, Rappaccini (Hawthorne 1063). Not only did he use Giovanni as a vehicle for his revenge but he also used Beatrice as a revenge of vehicl... ... middle of paper ... ...his family. Baglioni also exposes that Rappaccini is not ethically sound because he deceived Giovanni into characterizing his experiment without his consent. In summary, both revenges were successful in the end. In conclusion, both Baglioni and Montresor are similar in their revenge in the aspects of their cause , method as well as the outcome, even though they both differentiated in their effects as well as their nature of the revenge. Even though they both used different natures, and effects in their revenge , both men abided in the same way in their revenge and ultimately more similar than different. Revenge befalls different definitions in most people’s minds, including Baglioni as well as Montresor, but in the end everyone envisions the same thing, triumph over your opponent. Therefore, both were extremely similar more than different in their revenge quest.
Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne are considered two of the most influential writers in American history. ¨Although they never met face-to-face the two writers are inseparably linked because of the style of their works.¨(Velella) Their unique style was different then a lot of other writers which separated them from the rest. While Longfellow and many others wrote about happiness and spiritual connection with nature Poe and Hawthorne wrote about darkness and how they thought humanity was evil creation.
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.
...fraud. Given the persistent problems between the Ghibellines and Guelfs or the infighting among the Black and White Guelfs, bloodletting was the order of the day. Great blood feuds usually came about from trivial disputes such as stepping on a person’s foot that normally escalated exponentially to pitched battles on the streets. Many so-called aristocrats deeply concerned with their family honor powerfully influenced Florence's culture; these would be inclined to countenance bloodshed. Furthermore, they were quite hostile to those who sought power by alternate means such as wealthy merchants (mostly rich from usury) that did not use violence but instead fraud and corruption during earlier years of the Renaissance. This helps explain why Dante decided to position fraud and usury before violence given the circumstances in which he saw the political climate at the time.
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.
Within this plot of revenge, Poe uses irony and symbolism to develop his theme of a man who tries to gain absolution for the sin he is about to commit. Irony in "The Cask of Amontillado" Poe
Guilt and shame haunt all three of the main characters in The Scarlet Letter, but how they each handle their sin will change their lives forever. Hester Prynne’s guilt is publicly exploited. She has to live with her shame for the rest of her life by wearing a scarlet letter on the breast of her gown. Arthur Dimmesdale, on the other hand, is just as guilty of adultery as Hester, but he allows his guilt to remain a secret. Instead of telling the people of his vile sin, the Reverend allows it to eat away at his rotting soul. The shame of what he has done slowly kills him. The last sinner in this guilty trio is Rodger Chillingworth. This evil man not only hides his true identity as Hester’s husband, but also mentally torments Arthur Dimmesdale. The vile physician offers his ‘help’ to the sickly Reverend, but he gives the exact opposite. Chillingworth inflicts daily, mental tortures upon Arthur Dimmesdale for seven long years, and he enjoys it. Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth are all connected by their sins and shame, but what they do in regards to those sins is what sets them apart from each other.
German poet Friedrich Schiller once said “Revenge is barren of itself: it is the dreadful food it feeds on; its delight is murder, and its end is despair.” The burning sensation you feel inside when imagining how to get back at someone who has wronged you has tremendous power, and more often than not it leads to hurting yourself more than what was done in the first place. In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe the protagonist Montresor gets revenge on his dear old friend Fortunato without causing any more pain to himself. The setting of this story is limited to two different places. While they contrast each other in certain aspects the carnival and Montresor family catacombs go hand in hand to portray the implicit meaning of the feud
These violent delights have violent ends…” (William Shakespeare qtd. in Romeo and Juliet Act II, Scene VI.) “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe begins with Montresor, the main character, saying that he will punish Fortunato with impunity for a wrong he has done. Montresor plans on leading Fortunato to his house where his deathbed awaits him. Along the way, Montresor portrays numerous personalities that keep the story interesting. He eventually locks Fortunato in a recess located in the catacombs beneath his house, and he starts to burry him alive. Montresor is able to complete this ludicrous act because he is vindictive, determined, and manipulative.
Both stories exemplify the thrill inherent to the ability of exerting dominance over a human being to alter them to a perfect, insuperable counterpart. Rappaccini, though possessing paternal sentiments for his daughter,
The perfect revenge is an action so many scorned have attempted and what so many more have lusted after. Apt punishment for the offender, success without being discovered and fulfillment without regret are all elements for satisfactory vengeance. All were present in "The Cask of Amontillado." However, despite Montresor's actions seeming to be perfect, he does not fulfill the criteria for flawless revenge. Poe doesn't quite allow readers to feel convinced of his main character's peace of mind. Subtle indications are strewn throughout the story that suggest otherwise. Though Montresor intended to cleanse his honor of Fortunato's insults, it may very well be that he only succeeded in creating, for himself, a guilty conscience, forever depriving himself of the sweetness of revenge.
Edgar Allan Poe’s stories are credited for having horror-filled endings. Usually darkness is considered to be a good representative of evil, so the setting in “The Cask of Amontillado” is at night-time. This story deals with the jealousy, revenge and, more importantly, wounded family honor. A man named Montresor, whose name is not discovered till the end of story, is seeking vengeance on Fortunato, who has irreparably insulted him. The very first sentence: “THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge”, supports the theme of revenge (Poe 161). This theme also suggests that Fortunato had aggrieved Montresor thousands of times, but whenever he insults Montresor and his family, he decides that there needs to be avenge and, which is the murder of a Fortunato. Montresor believes “he is out to get justice by baiting Fortunato” (Whatley 56). Hence, Whatley states “there is no remorse in Montresor’s heart when he finally confesses after fifty years”. So, for the sake of his family honor and self-respect, he vowed to take revenge by killing Fortunato.
The similarities and differences between Poe and Hawthorne both show a dynamic and intriguing method that has lasted through the times. They both show an inner personal look through their writing about their loved ones. The dynamic writing between both writers depict the idea that no matter how morbid the writing love can shine through any view. With both writers there is a vision of morbid curiosity along with a romantic nature for the audience; by depicting death of a loved one to show a sense of connection with the audience. Although both are gothic romantic writers you can easily see that both have a different sense of life and death, and to which one holds more value.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's works are notable for their treatment of guilt and the complexities of moral choices. "Moral and religious concerns, in short, are almost always present in Hawthorne's work"(Foster, 56). Given Hawthorne's background, it is not a stretch of the imagination to say that his novels are critiques of Puritanism. Hawthorne lived in the deeply scarred New England area, separated from Puritanism by only one generation. His grandfather had been one of the judges in the Salem Witch Trials. Personal issues include the various ways Hawthorne's family and specific events in his life influenced his writing. Readers can easily recognize how "Young Goodman Brown" incorporates facts about his Puritan ancestors. Father Hooper in "The Minister's Black Veil" may be symbolically paralleled to Hawthorne's ancestors, trying to hide a sin they have committed. His descendants' remarks on him in The Custom House introduction to The Scarlet Letter mix pride in Hawthorne's prominence and a sense of inherited guilt for his deeds as judge. Hawthorne's guilt of wrongs committed by his ancestors was paramount in the development of his literary career. He investigates human weaknesses through the time period of his ancestors. Generally Hawthorne's writings contained powerful symbolic and psychological effects of pride, guilt, sin and punishment.
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” is a frightening and entertaining short story about the severe consequences that result from persistent mockery and an unforgiving heart. Poe’s excellent use of Gothicism within the story sets the perfect tone for a dark and sinister plot of murder to unfold. “The Cask of Amontillado” simply overflows with various themes and other literary elements that result from Poe’s Gothic style of writing. Of these various themes, one that tends to dominant the story as a whole is the theme of revenge, which Poe supports with his sophisticated use of direct and indirect factors, irony, and symbolism.
Due to Antony's agreement upon his brothers' punishment, it is again evident that revenge is a central theme within the play.