Cask Of Amontillado

There are a few names in literature which represent the ability to captivate an audience with suspense and gloom. Though masters of different genres, Edgar Allen Poe and William Shakespeare both embody this unique ability. One of Poe’s work in particular resembles the beauty and darkness that is found in Shakespeare’s tragedies. In the intriguing short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” two wealthy gentlemen from an Italian, wine-loving village go off to find a barrel of expensive medium-dry sherry to share amidst a happy carnival, and the stakes rise when one of the men betrays his friend, chaining and trapping him deep in the catacombs. The jolly and fun-loving Fortunato is assumed to be unfortunately slowly killed by the narrator, Montresor. The relationship between these two men and the struggles presented throughout the entire first-person recollection of the fictional Montresor created by Edgar Allan Poe uses many of the literary elements that are prominent in William Shakespeare’s revenge tragedies.

     In “The Cask of Amontillado” Edgar Allan Poe takes us on a journey into the mind of a mad man. The story relates a horrible revenge made even more horrible by the fact that the vengeance is being taken when no real offense had been given. In a short space and with ultimate technical skill, Poe creates a nightmare, guaranteed to give the reader a sleepless night.

Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” is a horror story about revenge and murder that occurred half a century ago. Through the haunting confession of the narrator, Montresor, the reader is able to feel what Fortunato had endured half a century ago. In this tale of revenge and murder the dark, damp, and bone-filled catacombs provide a contrast to life during the “madness of the carnival” (553).

In addition, the place that Montresor chose to kill Fortanato is also sarcastic. It seems abnormal that the “vaults” were situated inside the “catacombs”. When they were looking for the wine, Fortanato did not suspect anything even when he saw the “bones” and “catacombs”. He still kept on asking where the “Amontillado” was. Ridiculously, while they were drinking the wine in order to keep themselves warm, Fortanato said that he drank to “the buried that repose around them”. Whereas, Montresor said that he drank “to your long life”. Surely, what Montresor said is ironic; He certainly knew that Fortanato would not have a “long life” since he would kill him soon. Perhaps, what Montresor means here is that Fortanato may have a “long life” in these dreadful “vaults”. Namely, the Montresors’ tomb will be Fortanato's tomb. Moreover, Montresor asked Fortanato to go back three times while they were in the vaults. Also, he concerned with Fortanato’s health since

As the narrator, Montresor explains that although a friend named Fortunato has insulted him and deserves to be avenged. However, he has hidden his goal from Fortunato, giving no “cause to doubt [his] good will.” Montresor, aware of Fortunato’s influence, knows he must “not only punish, but punish with impunity.” Instead, he lures Fortunato to his grave with the promise of fine wine.

“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a story about two people, Montressor and Fortunato who were friends but were separated by the act of revenged and retribution of the “thousand injuries” that Montressor experienced from his friend, Fortunato. Montressor was from a wealthy family; his ancestors were prominent people and well known in the society. The Montressors were “a great and numerous family” and they were respected and admired by the people, though these were all in the past because things have changed for him. The Montressor name does not hold any significance unlike before, they no longer have fame, money, and status; Montressor felt that it was his responsibility to protect his family and defend

I cannot begin talking about “The Cask of Amontillado” without first mentioning its author, Mr. Edgar Allen Poe and his unique style of writing. Poe’s style of writing is described as “Dark Gothic.” Poe uses irony to create a comedic effect which only foreshadows the horror ahead; his short story writing still giving readers the full effect of the story; Poe felt a story should be read in one sitting, with each event occurring in order keeping with the storyline as he states in his essay “The Philosophy of Composition.” His use of imagery and symbolism putting pictures in our minds leaving us in suspense; the unreliable narrator, clearly in an effort to substantiate his sanity is definite verification of his insanity. Poe’s immense

It initially takes place at which Montresor describes, “one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season” (179). This would also be the same place where Montresor met Fortunato after some time. Montresor easily tricks Fortunato to come with him underground to have a look and examine the exquisite “pipe” of Amontillado in which they talked about earlier. Fortunato easily gave in and both started to go under, leaving the carnival. they both used a “flambeaux,” or a torch, which could easily signify the reader of how dark and cold the cave was. Montresor offered Fortunato to come back up many times due to his excessive coughing but refused. Fortunato was still affected by his illness until Montresor kept giving him different wine, which resulted Fortunato's immobilization and was intoxicated. At some point they were at a deep crypt and arrived to an area where a small area of unfinished walls were found. Montresor mentions at this point, “Its termination the feeble light did not enable us to see” (182). At this point, this should tell the reader that it was Fortunato’s death

Fortunato is a “Wine expert” that likes to insult people and he is the victim in the story. Montresor is a wealthy man that does not like to be insulted. He is also very sly and dedicated. Montresor is the narrator and the murderer in the story.

When Montresor finds Fortunato on the streets during Carnival he tells him that he has Amontillado and uses reverse physiology to get Fortunato to come with him. When they leave Fortunato puts on “…a mask of black silk, and drawing a roquelaure closely about my person. And suffered him to hurry…” Montresor makes it obvious that he does not want anyone to see him with Montresor and the reader realizes this but Fortunato is so drunk is oblivious. When they finally get to Montresor’s palazzo none of the workers are home so there are no witnesses. Montresor bring Fortunato to where all of the wine is stored and “took from their scones two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato, bowed him through several suites of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults…Passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed.” The setting went from the brightly colored, loud, populated streets to an underground, musty, dark catacomb which makes the story creepy. Also even though Montresor is bringing Fortunato down there to kill him he tells him to “be cautious as he followed” which is dramatic irony because Fortunato thinks he is being serious and only Montresor and the reader knows he is not. Montresor and Fortunato are walking through the catacomb and “The

After reading the story I came to the conclusion that there is a parallel between the carnival and Fortunato, and the catacombs to Montresor. The carnival is lively, a time of sins of the flesh. It fulfills indulgences, which Fortunato partakes in, especially with wine. The carnival represents life, happiness, and also rose colored lenses that is put on the townspeople eyes from the world below. Montresor intends to use the carnival as a cover up to get Fortunato to come with him to the catacombs to have the finest wine, Amontillado. While the carnival represents Fortunato, the catacombs are the illustrative of Montresor and his mind. The catacombs are lined with remnants of Montresor’s family. The catacombs depict selfish desires, hate, and death. This setting would be the perfect place to kill Fortunato because no one would ever come looking

The story opens at the scene of a carnival, in which appears to be the perfect distraction for Montresor to fulfill his plan of revenge. While everyone, including Montresor’s attendants at home, is busy enjoying the festivities, Fortunato is lured back to Montresor’s vaults by the deliberate lie that he has something that could pass as Amontillado. Fortunato, astounded by the idea and none the wiser about Montresor actual plans, excitedly goes forth, anxious to get a taste of this wine. In the walk through the vaults, learning that the walls are filled with the dead bodies of

“The Cask of Amontillado,” is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe that tells a tale of deception and death. This story is set 50 years in the past to tell the story of Montresor, who seeks revenge on Fortunato. Fortunato has allegedly insulted Montresor, but his insults were never truly stated. Montresor lures Fortunato to the catacombs of his home and buries Fortunato alive. The author uses dramatic irony and visual imagery to create an ominous tone that contributes to a recurring theme of death.

The story is being told by Montresor, but his name is not revealed until the end. Montresor begins the story by discussing that he has been insulted multiple times by Fortunato and that he seeks revenge on him. He decides to revenge him by using Fortunato’s weakness for good wine against him without risking him to get caught. While in the midst of the carnival season, Montresor approaches, a drunken Fortunato in a jester costume with a cone cap with bells, that he has believed that he came across Amontillado. Fortunato demonstrated shows anxious on conforming if the wine is truly Amontillado. Montresor tells Fortunato that if he is too busy, he will ask a man named Luchesi to taste it. Fortunato apparently considers Luchesi a competitor and

The story takes place in the evening, during the busy time of carnival. Montresor found Fortunado when he came up to greet him. Fortunado was wearing a tight parti-striped dress with a conical cap with bells that jingled (Poe 1126). Things were on a happy note as far as tone goes, as Montresor addressed his enemy as his friend when letting him know that he had purchased a pipe of Amontillado but was unsure if it were the real thing or not (Poe 1126). We were also at carnival where people were likely drinking, celebrating, and being merry.