... Selfishness and revenge are woven through “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner like a fine silk thread, supporting the theme of death in each. In the short story, “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner, the cause of death is never obviously revealed but lightly hinted upon Emily as the cause. “The Cask of Amontillado,” a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, the cause of death is revealed but no one knew the cause of Fortunato’s disappearance. These stories contain many differences as well as similarities ranging from imagery, symbolism, theme, and tone. The recognizable commonality of the two is the theme of death. Each of these stories portrays death, or murder, as a result of vengeance, revenge and betrayal. “The Cask of Amontillado” deals with the death of Fortunato and “A Rose for Emily” deals with the death of Homer and Emily. William Faulkner never admits that Emily is the cause of Homer’s death but gives the audience clues that suggest Emily was indeed responsible. Emily’s death seemed to be of natural causes (Faulkner, 1931, p 531). Edgar Allan Poe, in “The Cask of Amontillado” tells the audience of Montresor’s plot of revenge and murder of Fortunato. Betrayal and revenge are obvious throughout both stories. In “A Rose for Emily,” Emily first betrayed Homer after he did not take her for his wife after the whole town saw the two of them together. In “The Cask of Amontillado” betrayal is shown in Montresor’s...
Words: 1989 - Pages: 8
...“Revenge is a dish best served cold”. This is a quote I am sure Edgar Allen Poe has herd after reading his short story “The Cask of Amontillado”. “The Cask of Amontillado” is the story of man, Montresor, and his brutal revenge against his former friend, Fortunato, who had insulted him. Poe’s story is riddled with examples of dramatic, verbal and situational irony which highlight the brutal revenge and brings humor into the story. Dramatic irony occurs when the reader knows something that one of the characters does not. Such is the case in “The Cask of Amontillado” as the story begins with Montresor stating “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge”(510). This statement sets up dramatic irony throughout the story as the reader knows Montresor has sworn revenge on Forunato, while Fortunato believes they are still friends. This irony is evident through the whole story as Montresor pretends to be friends luring Fortunato to his cellar where he would eventually trap and kill him. The irony enhances the brutality of the murder as the reader knows throughout Montresor is planning some revenge while Fortunato believes he is going to sample his friends wine. Secondly Poe weaves verbal irony, a statement in which the meaning that a speaker employs is sharply different from the meaning that is ostensibly expressed, throughout to add humor to the story. The story is filled with verbal irony as Montresor is planning...
Words: 669 - Pages: 3
...Jonathon Criswell Essay 1 Assignment 3/14/2016 Foreshadowing Fortunato’s Fate in Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe introduces the readers with an unpleasant tale of revenge in The Cask of Amontillado. It is revealed by Montresor who confesses to the murder of his old friend Fortunato over fifty years ago. Montresor led Fortunato to the catacombs where he was entombed. Fortunato, is led into the catacomb to his impending death with the assurance of a magnificent sherry, amontillado. As Montresor pilots Fortunato deeper into the catacombs, Poe foreshadows the impending murder. The word cask in Cask of Amontillado, is an abbreviation for the term casket. Fortunato is being led to his casket or final resting place in the catacombs. Elena Baraban, of “The Motive for Murder in “the Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe”, believes that “the whole imagery of the crypt suggests that the word “Amontillado” is a metaphor” (55). This is symbolic of the way Fortunato is killed. The title could easily have read “The Grave of Fortunato.” Special importance is placed on Carnival in the story. Montresor saved his revenge until the Carnival celebration began, because it would be an excellent time to carry out his plan of revenge “during the supreme madness of the carnival season,” (Poe 227). Nothing is as it seems during the Carnival. People pretend to be something that they wish they could be. Carnival is an escape for the people. Many things happen at...
Words: 1180 - Pages: 5
...February 2013 The Masque of the Red Death vs. The Cask of Amontillado “The Masque of the Red Death” and “The Cask of Amontillado” written by Edgar Allan Poe are somewhat different. The major themes of these stories differ significantly, as does the emphasis placed on each character which dealt more to The Cask of Amontillado” than to “The Masque of the Red Death” Regardless of this, the stories are similar in many ways. For instance, both belong to the literacy of the gothic genre, it shared a small theme, and the characters shared a lot of the same characteristics. Poe known as a great writer how was his overall literary style determined for these two short stories? The similarities of both tales belong to the gothic genre. This is true from large number of features presented in either one or both of the stories. The most prominent were the dreary, damp, and decaying catacombs of the “The Cask of Amontillado” and the dark themes such as death and insanity, which was a consistent presence in both stories, in the forms of madness of Montresor and Prince Prospero and death of Fortunato and Prince Prospero, along with his guest who took shelter from the Red Death in Prospero’s palace. Other features common to the gothic literature of the narratives were mysteries in the shape of the mysterious shrouded figure in “The Masques of the Red Death” and how Montresor would avenge himself against Fortunato in “The Mask of Amontillado” and the fact the setting was in a palace; just like...
Words: 1557 - Pages: 7
...story “The Cask of Amontillado” revolves around the vengeful Montresor, who after being insulted by his friend Fortunato one too many times, decides to retaliate. He does so by manipulating Fortunato into following him deep into his underground vaults in order to trap and entomb behind a wall of quickly placed cement. At first glance, this story reads as a straightforward, disturbing tale of revenge. However, when looking deeper at the actions of the character and the ironic undertones of the story, the theme of pride becomes very apparent. In “The Cask of Amontillado” Poe displays how a person’s pride can lead to their ultimate downfall. “The Cask of Amontillado” is shrouded in dramatic and verbal irony. Tension build as the reader, knowing that Montresor is full of bad intention, has no choice but to sit and watch Fortunato’s fate unfold. Throughout the story Montresor, feigning concern for Fortunato’s health,...
Words: 692 - Pages: 3
...perverseness of his character Montresor from the tale, “The Cask of Amontillado”. The whole tale leads up to a really big decision, a decision of pure perverseness. Perverseness first off, is doing something willfully against what is good or actually right. Poe uses this theme in many of his tales, it is shown in many different and odd ways. So in the tale about “The Cask of Amontillado” Montresor wants to get revenge on the second character named Fortunato. Fortunato hurt Montresor in some way that was not really described with in the text. But because of this unknown incident Montresor is going to take things to the next level via trickery and lies, in which the perverseness will begin to show. In the beginning of the tale we were given some background information on both characters, Montresor and Fortunato. Then it leads to Montresor lying to Fortunato about a great cask of the best wine, Amontillado. Montresor knew Fortunato could not resist the temptation of getting his hands on some amazing wine, Fortunato is rich so why wouldn’t he take the offer? Although just believing was not enough for him so he had to go see the cask and taste it which is what Montresor wants. Montresor claimed the Amontillado was down in the way back of the catacombs, so they started heading there to the wine where no one ever goes. Montresor started this mission by slowly getting Fortunato drunker and drunker. As the two made their way down the stairs into the catacomb; Montresor offers more wine to Fortunato...
Words: 1062 - Pages: 5
... 2012. The Tale of Horror In “The Cask of Amontillado”, by Edgar Allan Poe, in his story Montresor is the protagonist and also the narrator. Poe uses his narrator to explain situations that are going on in their characters life. Montresor reveals from the beginning of that story that he intends to have revenge over Fortunato. On the other hand “The Goose Girl”, by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm in their story, the chambermaid plays the role of the antagonist. Grimm brother’s story is of a good-hearted princess usurped by her chambermaid and is turned into a common goose girl in a classic fairy tale. The chambermaid does not have any intent at the beginning of the story to usurp the princess place, but she is taking advantage over the princess, because of the circumstances that are happening over the course of the story. Regardless that the Poe story and as well Grimm’s Brothers story utilize common characteristics such as, development of manipulation, betrayal, deceitful, sly and calculating characters. Montresor from Poe story and the chambermaid from Grimm Brothers story, they both have similar characteristics in order to satisfice their own beliefs and desires. Montresor character of Poe’s story initially opens with a clear and specific purpose, which is to kill his friend Fortunato to be able to obtain revenge. “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of...
Words: 919 - Pages: 4
...In "The Cask of Amontillado" Edgar Allan Poe takes us on a journey into the mind of what many would perceive as a mad man. The story tells of what seems to be a horrible revenge made even more horrible by the fact that the vengeance is being taken when no real offense had been known. This notion sets the mood for true evil. The plot of the story is simple. Montresor takes revenge on his friend Fortunato by luring him into the wine cellar under the family estate. There he leads Fortunato into the depths of the catacombs where he buries him alive by walling him into a tomb in the wall. Was Montresor mad or was it premeditated murder? "Nemo me impune lacessit" (No one attacks me with impunity). This seems to be the theme running through the short story. Along with the Montresor Coat of Arms; a serpent being crushed under a gold foot and the saying "Nemo me impune lacessit". Is this the motto of a vengeful family who believes revenge is justified or of a mad man who has heard that motto so many times, that he feels revenge is justified at any cost? Knowing Fortunato was intoxicated from the wine and spirits of celebrating Carnival as well as in a Jester costume he is wearing, Montresor takes advantage of Fortunato knowledge of fine wines and entices him with a "Cask of Amontillado" (Barrel of Spanish Sherry) Montresor has just acquired to lure Fortunato to the vaults under the family estate. This sounds like a precalculated plan for revenge. Montresor never states what the insult...
Words: 477 - Pages: 2
...advantage of the innocent due to the exchange of trust. In Edgar Allen Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor yearns to wreak vengeance on Fortunato. Montresor utilizes Fortunato’s trust to get what he wants. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allen Poe parallels King’s theme, through dramatic irony and the climax, that once trust has been gained, the bad qualities in a person are much less noticeable. One way Edgar Allen Poe emphasizes that the establishment of trust masks lunacy through the use of dramatic...
Words: 829 - Pages: 4
...The Cask of Amontillado by: Edgar Allan Poe In The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allen Poe manipulates the story to be the way he wants it to be by using the point of view of the narrator, the setting, and a common monotonous sentiment throughout the story. Poe is successful in maintaining a spirit of perverseness. The point of view plays a very important role in influencing the reader's perception of the story. The first line of the story is a good example of how the narrator attempts to bring the reader to his side, right from the start. “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (101). Montresor, the narrator of the story, immediately tries to win the reader to his side, by telling him/her that Fortunato has “ventured upon insult,” and apparently crossed the line. This attempt is clever, but the reader never gets a sense of what Fortunato has actually done to the narrator, or whether Montresor is creating it in his own mind. The point of view of the story can also affect the emotional attachment that the reader gets, or fails to get, in this case, for a given character. When a reader is involved in a story, the point of view from where the story is being told is crucial to the feelings the reader has. In this story, Montresor dominates the progression of the story in every regard. This being the case, it is difficult for the reader to develop a liking for another character, unless Montresor...
Words: 1521 - Pages: 7
...The Cask of Amontillado While reading the story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, the readers were probably thinking “What possessed Montresor to do such a thing?” or “I wonder what his character traits are that would cause him to do something like this?”. Well in the story, Montresor wants revenge on Fortunado, he does this exactly by telling Fortunado he has Amontillado at the end of the catacombs in his home, getting him drunk, and then burying him alive. Montresor accomplishes this murder because he is insane, yet very clever, and organized. Due to the fact that Montresor is (or at least seems to be) insane, that Could easily help him think of smart, yet grotesque ways of trapping and killing Fortunado. Its obvious that Montresor has killed someone or something before because he says “I busied myself among the pile of bones which I have before spoken.” (Poe, 216) this indicates that he has killed before, and the worst part is he isn’t even phased or bothered by this! If that doesn’t prove he’s insane, then what does? Based on his actions, Montresor is obviously very clever, making it easier to come up with ways he can kill Fortunado and get away with it! The fact that Montresor uses reverse physiology to get Fortunado to stay (Poe, 214) This shows that he had this planned out and knows exactly how to get him to the end of the catacombs. All of the above actions show that he’s very clever. Looking at how Montresor acts throughout...
Words: 446 - Pages: 2
...In “The Scarlet Ibis”, written by James Hurst, and “The Cask of Amontillado”, written by Edgar Allan Poe, the characters in both works are the theme of Appearance versus Reality. The authors use Appearance versus Reality by revealing the cruel intentions of Montresor and the reality of how Doodle learned to walk. Both “The Scarlet Ibis” and “The Cask of Amontillado” are influenced by Appearance versus Reality as the plot progresses in both of these stories. The process of maturation in Doodle and Brother demonstrate the theme of Appearance versus Reality in “The Scarlet Ibis”. When Doodle was born, his family and the doctor presumed that he would not live to experience a full life. Even his own mother did not think that he would remain...
Words: 735 - Pages: 3
...The Motive behind the Murder Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado” describes Montresor’s deadly revenge against his friend Fortunato who he claims has insulted him. Since readers are unable to find the precise explanation of Montresor’s abhorrence of Fortunato, most of the readers conclude that Montresor is insane and unbalanced. However, this interpretation fails to explain the character of Montresor and goes against the intricate details of the plot. The short story’s emphasis on the elaborate murder shows Montresor’s sophisticated philosophy of revenge, which is “No one insults me with impunity”. The motive of his vengeance is because of Fortunato’s arrogance and his insulting Montresor, who is indeed equal or even superior to him. Since Fortunato can remember neither the coat of arms nor the motto of Montresor, it is logical to say that Fortunato comes from a less prominent family than Montresor. The conflict between Fortunato and Montresor arises from the sensation of incongruity between their current social standing and their right to prominence by virtue of their origin. Fortunato regards Montresor’s family as less prominent than his family because Montresor is not an active participant in the life of local aristocracy. When Fortunato noted how extensive the vaults are, Montresor tells him that he came from a great and enormous family. However, Fortunato cannot remember Montresor’s coat of arms and his family motto. At that time, the display of a family’s...
Words: 1814 - Pages: 8
...Alcoholism through his Stories “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Black Cat” Jen Andalou Edgar Allen Poe’s stories “The Black Cat” and “The Cask of Amontillado” are among his most popular. Both of these stories can be read on several different levels causing everyone who reads them to come up with a totally different interpretations, yet none of the interpretations I have read seem satisfying. The two stories at first seem simple enough, with “The Black Cat” reading as a darker version of “The Telltale Heart”, this time with the conscience given a physical form, and “The Cask of Amontillado” as a chilling tale of revenge exacted told as a deathbed confession. Yet these simple interpretations leave too many questions. Many reviewers unfairly single Poe’s works out as coming directly from his subconscious, ignoring not only how carefully Poe chose his words and phrases but also the sources that inspired the stories (E A Poe Society, “Autobiography”). That being said, I think Poe did deliberately use his stories as a kind of self-therapy thus revealing at least a little about himself. A large constant in Poe’s life was his fight with alcohol, which made itself known in his writing in many ways. The main theme of Edgar Allen Poe’s stories “The Black Cat” and “The Cask of Amontillado” centers on the narrators’ attempts to wall off, or suppress, his alcoholism, with the narrator succeeding over alcoholism in “The Cask of Amontillado” while the narrator of “The Black...
Words: 4958 - Pages: 20
...Douglas Horton once said, “While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself”. Montresor decides to seek revenge from Fortunato in the worst way possible - by death because Fortunato insults his name. When Montresor sought revenge he thought that he was going to get away without a consequence, but he did suffer a consequence, his grave - guilt and regret. In "The Cask of Amontillado,” Poe utilizes situational irony and tone to express the theme that revenge is sometimes a fruitless and damaging experience. For example, Poe uses situational irony to convey Montresor’s feelings about taking revenge on Fortunato. Before Fortunato’s murder, Montresor couldn’t wait to kill him and to get the satisfaction he desires. Just thinking about killing Fortunato made him “smile ... at the thought of [Fortunato’s] ” ultimate death (Poe 61). Leading up to the death, he planned a lot for the murder. He deceives Fortunato and works hard to get him drunk and when Montresor does kill Fortunato he does not feel the satisfaction and fulfillment that he expects. He assumed Fortunato’s death was going to erase any feelings connected to him, but instead he built more feelings from killing him which was the complete opposite of what he wanted. Moreover, Montresor believed that by killing Fortunato he will feel pleased...
Words: 598 - Pages: 3
