Why Was Montresor Wrong

Ben Wellstood
Hakmati
Period 5
14th October 2014
Montresor, Cruel or Righteous? In the short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, Montresor has murdered his former friend, Fortunato. One might think that Montresor has given Fortunato what he rightfully deserves, or that Montresor has been following his family motto. However, Montresor never clearly explains what Fortunato has done to him and does not provide any reason to his actions. Montresor doesn’t say what specifically happened -it could have been something significant or something minor -so one can’t tell if he had a motive in murdering Fortunato. Montresor’s actions could be seen as enigmatic and malevolent, but still loyal to his family motto. Montresor’s actions are very mysterious. He never goes into depth with what Fortunato had done to him and only gives the reader a brief explanation. Montresor says, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could…” (Poe 212). According to Montresor, he had tried to deal with or “borne as best [he] could” (Poe) with Fortunato, but had reached his breaking point. On why he killed Fortunato, he says, “…but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge” (Poe 212). Montresor seems to have said that Fortunato was just being himself until he “ventured upon insult” (Poe). Montresor

His influence for killing fortunato was undoubtedly “Nemo me impune lacessit” (Poe 215) translates to “No one attacks me with impunity” (Holt 215) .This is a ferocious warning that any attacker is going to be met with a harsh response. Montresor takes pride in his family motto when he explains to Fortunato “[The Montresors,] I replied, [were a great and numerous family.] [I forget your arms.] [A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel.]” (Poe 215). Montresor stands by that his family were “were a great and numerous” (Poe) and had a representable