Analyzing the Characters of “The Cask of Amontillado” In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” the author tells the story from Montresor’s point of view. Montresor is the son of an old and noble family, and his plot to seek revenge by killing Fortunato sets the basis for the story and creates a model of behavior for him to follow for the remainder of the story. After Fortunato insults his name, Montresor explains that he must have his revenge. He believes that the only way to make right a wrong is to make Fortunato suffer and to know who was making him suffer, which is a trait of insanity. The reader can also depict Montresor as deceitful in his attempts to lure Fortunato into his palace. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” the reader
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Montresor states, “But then I learned that he had laughed at my proud name, Montresor, the name of an old honored family. I promised myself that I would make him pay for this – that I would have my revenge” (Poe 68). Prior to this statement, Montresor says that Fortunato had hurt him several times before, but that it did not bother him near as much as the present offense. The loss of pride in his name propelled him to seek revenge and kill Fortunato. In Robert E. Morsberger’s essay, he states, “…but when Fortunato dared insult him, he vowed revenge. It must be a perfect revenge, one in which Fortunato will know fully what is happening to him and in which Montresor will be forever undetected” (1). Morsberger speaks in his essay of the revenge that Montresor is plotting. He considers it to be Montresor’s perfect revenge, which in his own opinion, is to make him suffer face-to-face. In his perfect revenge, however, Montresor does not want to suffer for his deed. This act would take a great feat of revenge, which is why Montresor states that he would handle the matter with the utmost care (Poe 68). Montresor’s main character trait in the story is revenge because the theme of the story is revenge. Nevertheless, Montresor’s irrational desire to bury Fortunato alive leads the reader to believe that he is a …show more content…
In Trent Lorcher’s evaluation of Montresor’s character, he states that the deception Montresor mainly relied on involved reverse psychology:
There are two things that allow Montresor’s plan to succeed… 2) Montressor is a master of reverse psychology and irony. Numerous times, he cautions Fortunato about his cough and declares his wish to go to Luchesi--whom we know little of other than Fortunato thinks he's an "ignoramus." This mention of Fortunato's rival makes him all the more eager to prove Montresor's imbecility in buying Amontillado from a huckster. (Lorcher 1)
In the story, Montresor tells Fortunato several times as they walk through the vaults that he is trembling with the cold, and that he should go back before he gets sick (Poe 70). These warnings served nothing more than an incentive for Fortunato to push through it and show his strength, which were exactly Montresor’s intentions. This specific deceit allows Montresor to effortlessly lure Fortunato into the vaults, which, in turn, allows him to carry out his plan free from
Montresor states, “But then I learned that he had laughed at my proud name, Montresor, the name of an old honored family. I promised myself that I would make him pay for this – that I would have my revenge” (Poe 68). Prior to this statement, Montresor says that Fortunato had hurt him several times before, but that it did not bother him near as much as the present offense. The loss of pride in his name propelled him to seek revenge and kill Fortunato. In Robert E. Morsberger’s essay, he states, “…but when Fortunato dared insult him, he vowed revenge. It must be a perfect revenge, one in which Fortunato will know fully what is happening to him and in which Montresor will be forever undetected” (1). Morsberger speaks in his essay of the revenge that Montresor is plotting. He considers it to be Montresor’s perfect revenge, which in his own opinion, is to make him suffer face-to-face. In his perfect revenge, however, Montresor does not want to suffer for his deed. This act would take a great feat of revenge, which is why Montresor states that he would handle the matter with the utmost care (Poe 68). Montresor’s main character trait in the story is revenge because the theme of the story is revenge. Nevertheless, Montresor’s irrational desire to bury Fortunato alive leads the reader to believe that he is a …show more content…
In Trent Lorcher’s evaluation of Montresor’s character, he states that the deception Montresor mainly relied on involved reverse psychology:
There are two things that allow Montresor’s plan to succeed… 2) Montressor is a master of reverse psychology and irony. Numerous times, he cautions Fortunato about his cough and declares his wish to go to Luchesi--whom we know little of other than Fortunato thinks he's an "ignoramus." This mention of Fortunato's rival makes him all the more eager to prove Montresor's imbecility in buying Amontillado from a huckster. (Lorcher 1)
In the story, Montresor tells Fortunato several times as they walk through the vaults that he is trembling with the cold, and that he should go back before he gets sick (Poe 70). These warnings served nothing more than an incentive for Fortunato to push through it and show his strength, which were exactly Montresor’s intentions. This specific deceit allows Montresor to effortlessly lure Fortunato into the vaults, which, in turn, allows him to carry out his plan free from