...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,...
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...Pride is a strong word that can cause pain if their pride is not kept in check as Fortunato’s was. He believed to be an impeccable connoisseur of incredible wine and goes as far as to insult others by saying phrases similar to how “Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry” (237), which is another way of explaining just how poor of a taster Luchesi is in Fortunato’s eyes. Analyzing the numerous instances of symbolism with the use of Fortunato, Montresor, and a Motto in Edgar Allan Poe’s “Cask of Amontillado” to portray pride and pain. Fortunato is a man full of pride all the way to the brim, but because of that he ends up falling into a trap set to cause him pain, even though he is of royal status and his name means blessed, happy, or...
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...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...
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...a master at painting vivid storylines of people going insane with the prospect of their own doom. Hollywood has combined classic fear-inducing plots with gruesome special effects to bring that same mentality to audiences. In the short story by Poe, “The Cask of Amontillado”, the main antagonist effortlessly manipulates and traps his victim. In much of the same way, the gory “Saw” franchise focuses on a madman who sees himself as a vigilante and takes justice into his own hands by torturing his victims on both a mental and psychological level. “The Cask of Amontillado” and the “Saw” movies share the combined use of entrapment, manipulation, and psychological and physical infliction of pain while being at polar extremes in the methods used upon their victims. Entrapment plays an important role in both horror sagas. In the story of the Amontillado, Fortunado is taken deep into the vault. As the two walked deeper down, Fortunado was repeatedly asked if he wanted to turn back “We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. Besides there is Luchesi” (Poe), but his pride and vanity drove him on farther into the catacombs in search of the Amontillado. Fortunato was led into a niche where instead of the Amontillado stood two iron stalls with a short chain attached. Quickly the links were thrown around Fortunado’s waist and locking him in. Then the killer uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar and proceeded to wall up the entrance permanently trapping and...
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...Fortunato Fortunato is a character in Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Cask of Amontillado." Fortunato has wronged Montresor, the narrator of "Cask." The reader can not trust Montresor simply because he is an unreliable narrator, so the reader can't say for a fact that Fortunato had wronged Montresor. Montresor then seeks revenge on Fortunato. During carnivale season, Fortunato is drinking all types of wine. Montresor knows Fortunato is drunk so he goes to Fortunato and tells him he has Amontillado which is a fine wine. Fortunato wants the Amontillado so much, that he is willing to do anything for it, and that will lead him to his death. Montresor brought Fortunato into the catacombs, chained Fortunato to the wall, walled Fortunato up, and Fortunato was dead. Actually he wasn't dead right then and there. Montresor walled Fortunato up alive, so Fortunato can suffer much pain, then die, die a helpless man. Fortunato was a fun, outgoing, alcoholic, boastful/prideful man. Fortunato (Italian for “fortunate”) wears the multicolored costume of the jester, including a cone cap with bells. Fortunado has a weakness, his conceit, when it comes to his belief that he is a expert of fine wines. Because he is drunk, he is unaware to the warning signs around him; the warnings that he will not return from the catacombs. He seems to be unaware that comments he has made to the Montresor in the past have offended him greatly. So, I would say that he is not very sensitive when dealing with...
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...The “Cask of Amontillado” is a gothic tale of revenge and horror, the true genius of which lies in Poe’s abundant use of symbolism and irony. * Symbolism in "The Cask of Amontillado" Fortunato's Outfit: Fortunato's carnival garb is described as follows: "The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells." In short, Fortunato is dressed as a fool, a symbolic representation of what he is. The Setting: The "supreme madness of carnival season" represents the supreme madness of the narrator's mind. It is the backdrop of carnival season that lends the story its fantastic nature, a nature trumped only by the madness of Montresor's revenge. The Cask of Amontillado: The word cask, a sturdy cylindrical container for storing liquids, and the word casket have the same root. The Amontillado represents two causes of Fortunato's demise: (1) Fortunato is extremely drunk, more than likely drunk on wine. It is probable that his venturing into the catacombs has little to do with his desire to serve Montresor. Fortunato understands that the trip will produce one of two results--free Amontillado or Montresor's humiliation; (2) Fortunato's passion for good wine leaves him susceptible to flattery, flattery which Montresor provides. Montresor: In French, mon tresor means my treasure. The treasure the narrator possesses is the knowledge of the perfect revenge. The Montresor Family Motto, "Nemo me impune lacessit": Fortunato...
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...Marek Hullinger Mike Fiscel English W132 26 September 2013 From Tribes to Literature The word Goth derives from a German tribe referred to as the Goths. The term Gothic was later used during medieval times for the construction of buildings with pointed arches and vaults (Lad). In my essay, I chose to discuss two pieces of Gothic fiction. The first piece of Gothic fiction I decided to discuss is, “The Cask of Amontillado.” It was published in 1846 by the famous short-story writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe. The second piece of Gothic fiction I chose to discuss is, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” It was published in 1966 by Joyce Carol Oates. In Gothic literature there any many characteristics to its writing and famous short-stories such as “The Cask of Amontillado” and “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” contain many of those Gothic fiction characteristics. Summary “The Cask of Amontillado” is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe. Montresor is the main character of the story and also acts as the narrator. The story begins by him vowing his vengeance towards Fortunato for insulting him. Montresor hides his animosity towards Fortunato so he does not expect anything. He maintains a deceiving presence towards Fortunato and plots to exploit Fortunato’s weakness for luxurious wines. Carnival season came upon the city and Montresor finds Fortunato at the carnival. He invites him to try some of his sherry at his home. Montresor doubts Fortunato’s skill with...
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...When comparing the two main characters Montresor and Goodman brown the reader will note the similarities and differences of the two characters. For example both characters are anti-heros. Montresor’s biggest flaw is his pride, while Goodman Brown’s biggest flaw is his curiosity. Montresor and Goodman brown are both anti-heros, which means a central character that is flawed, and therefore he or she makes the story more interesting. They both like to judge other characters. When reading these stories the reader is unsure if either story is telling the truth. For instance in “Young Goodman Brown” the events that unfolded seem to be just a dream and nothing more. While in “The Cask of Amontillado” Montresor show several signs of insanity making...
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...Kerrie-Ann Greene Stephen Henrichon ENC 1102 29 January 2016 Death By Wine Edgar Allen Poe writes about a secret murder in the gothic short story, “The Cask of Amontillado”. Montresor, the narrator, lures his victim, Fortunato, into an underground death trap. Montresor tells the story fifty years later. The terror in the story is that the readers never get a clear picture of the motive, only knowing Montresor says in the beginning, “[a] thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge” (Poe 165). There is a lack of evidence. The “insult” is the final straw. Poe uses imagery, symbolism, and characters to describe the horrific tale of revenge. The story begins with visual imagery...
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...through the main character, Settings, Plot and word Choice. Both text Have been written by Edgar Allan Poe a famous American literary poet and critic, His most famous pieces were famous for their mysterious storylines and word usage. One reason Edgar Allan Poe's stories were so popular were due to the explicit themes each text Conveyed. The ¨Cask of Amontillado¨ Theme ¨ Do not insult those that are easily wounded for through pride cometh revenge¨. The Narrator states ¨ he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge… . I continued, as was my in to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.¨ The Narrator is offended by Fortunato's words...
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...The cask of amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe Plot Sypnosis The characters in this story are Montresor, a deranged man who seeks revenge and Fortunato, a haughty wine connoisseur against whom Montresor seeks revenge. The story begins during the carnival. Montresor avenge against one of his "friends," ironically named Fortunato, for insulting him, and explains that he has found a way to avenge himself that satisfies the two conditions he has: that Fortunato knows for sure Montresor is behind it and that he himself escapes revenge or punishment. Fortunato has a cold. Montresor finds his friend Fortunato at dusk. He is drunk and dressed in carnival costume as a jester. Using reverse psychology, he induces Fortunato, whose knowledge of fine wine he admires, to follow him into the catacombs underneath his palazzo to determine if his newly-acquired barrel storage cask of Amontillado, a kind of Spanish sherry, is indeed authentic and thus worth the price he has paid. They talk as they walk deep into the catacombs, discussing Fortunato's health, the Montresor family motto Nemo me impune lacessit, Latin for "No one assails me with impunity", and membership in the Freemasons. The ominous atmosphere intensifies as they continue to the damp, potassium nitrate air of the Montresor crypt. Dumbfounded at the absence of the Amontillado at the end of their passage, Fortunato stands 'stupidly bewildered' and Montresor takes advantage of the situation, suddenly chaining Fortunato to the wall...
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..."The Cask of Amontillado" is a story of revenge, but the reader is never told exactly what Fortunato did to warrant such vengeance. In fact, throughout the story, the reader gradually realizes that Montresor is an unreliable narrator; that whatever insult Montresor believes Fortunato committed is probably imagined or exaggerated. It's certain that Fortunato has no idea of Montresor's anger, and this makes the story even more tragic and frightening. The seemingly happy jangling of the bells on the top of Fortunato's cap become more and more sad the deeper the two venture into the catacombs. In the beginning of the story, Montresor defines revenge. He says he must "punish with impunity." He states if the avenger is caught, or does not make the punishment known to he who committed the wrong, the wrong goes unavenged. With this in mind, he sets the trap for Fortunato. He gives Fortunato numerous opportunities to back out, using the tricks of classic conmen by playing on Fortunato's greed and pride. In fact, it is Fortunato who insists they carry on to find the Amontillado, and this will no doubt torture him as he is buried alive. Montresor also provides hints as to what he plans to do with Fortunato. He seemingly miraculously comes up with a cask of Amontillado during carnival, which Fortunato can scarcely believe. He tells Fortunato, "You are a man to be missed," and after Fortunato says he won't die of a cough, Montresor agrees. His family motto is "No one insults me with...
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...Hannah Mason Olsen WR100 Insanity in Literature 11 February 2015 “The Presence of a Motive in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’” In many countries, the highest offense one can commit is insulting the family of another, as family is a strong source of history and pride. Conflicts between families have fueled many a feud or violent campaign, and insult is never left to injury; action must be taken. In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” the narrator, Montresor, does not appear explicitly insane, as many would argue, but rather to be acting on a motive against his victim, Fortunato. This premeditated intent to take revenge can be seen in Fortunato’s consistent disrespect for Montresor’s family, Montresor’s lack of guilt, which is exhibited during the act and also in the final phrase of the story, and finally through Poe’s method of singular effect. Montresor’s extreme distaste for Fortunato is immediately evident. He opens his murderous, half a century year old tale...
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...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...
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...Student name ENC 1102 Professor xxxx 4th January 2013 The Journey of a Premeditated Murder “The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, is a disturbing and sordid tale, to which we cannot remain indifferent since it includes a feeling we humans often experience. The author is responsible for enveloping us with his story and cruel narration of how Montresor becomes obsessed with revenge because Fortunato “insulted” his family and takes it to the highest degree by murdering Fortunato with complete coldness. Revenger is a feeling that can overpower a person and drive them to do things that they never thought they were capable of, just for the feeling of personal satisfaction. However, many details of the story make the readers wonder if Montresor was insane or Fortunato’s had done wrong and his murder was premeditated? In the story, we are introduced to Montresor who is considered to be protagonist and narrator of the story. All the evidence presented throughout the course of the story can make us believe that Montresor is an unreliable narrator. He tells us the story from his own point of view, which is brutal, vengeful, merciless, and cold. He insists that his actions are due to the “Thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could…” (236) and he is definitively convinced that all his actions are justified as he stated “I must not only punish but punish with impunity” (236). One of the first signs of his unreliable character is that Montresor did not even mention...
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