preview

Examples Of Pride In The Cask Of Amontillado

Decent Essays

There are many different types of people in this world. Some are kind and considerate, who always thinks of others before thinking of themselves. Then there are people who are unforgiving and cruel, like Montresor in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado”. Through the themes of revenge, pride, and foolishness, Poe creates a story that will make his readers begin to think about the repercussions of their actions. There are two types of people when it comes to revenge: those who go out seeking revenge and those who tend to let matters go. Revenge is a very normal response to feeling slighted out of something. People who tend to seek power also seek revenge. This reminds people that the powerful man is not to be toyed with. According to …show more content…

It can cause people to work longer and harder to achieve a task or become better in a specific area. Pride can be seen when a toddler performs a certain skill and the mother has witnessed the accomplishment of her child. This type of pride is what can drive humanity forward. Then there is a type of pride known as hubristic pride. Hubristic pride can lead to arrogance and can leave the person feeling entitled to more than what they deserve. This type of pride is unpredictable and frightening because when a person is experiencing hubristic pride they may not be in their healthy state of mind. According to Dr. Steven Aicinena, when pride is damaged the person will try to protect their pride by engaging in harmful behaviors especially when the loss of pride damages their ego (The Sport Journal). When someone harms another for the sake of their pride the benefit of the damaging act is more important than effect it may bring about down the road. In sports, for example, some coaches may experience hubristic pride. They may try to humiliate their players and make harsh comments in order for the team to win a game or move forward in a tournament. Athletes can also experience hubristic pride. They may think that they do not have to follow the rules or that they should receive special treatment. I believe that Montresor is experiencing hubristic pride. Whatever wrong he believes Fortunato made towards him damaged his pride. The …show more content…

There are many ways that people can be foolish. People can be foolish when they do not choose to be wise. People must think about their actions and what consequences may follow. If people made wise decisions then there would be less foolishness in the world. When people are being foolish they tear down the lives that they have built and do not care about the evil that they commit. The foolish person is driven by greed to be the prettiest, most handsome, or even the richest human being. They do not care who they cut down or harm in the process of achieving their goal. According to Ina Painter, people who are foolish can manipulate others into getting whatever they want (Chalcedon). It is foolish of people to not see the effects of death as it is in Montresor’s case. Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs where he builds a wall to enclose Fortunato and leaves him there to die. Montresor is blinded by hatred and the need for revenge that he fails to see what his actions will cost him. When Montresor killed Fortunato he did not realize the impact it will have on Fortunato’s friends and family and even on Montresor. In this event, Montresor’s mind was compromised and he later felt guilty for the murder. In the Bible it says, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men

Get Access