Fortunado Montresor Character Analysis

The character of Montersor in Edgar Allan Poe 's short story The Cask of Amontilado is one that is driven by his obssession on keeping up with his family 's motto. Nemo me impune lacessit is the motto that Montersor 's family lives by, and it means “No one attacks me with impunity.” The signifgance this motto plays in forming Montersor 's character can be seen through his opening monologue, and all the way through to the line “In pace requiescat” (rest in peace.) In his opening monologue, Montersor points out that Fortunado has wronged him, however the reason why is never fully developed.. Throughout the storyline, he lures Fortunado to his fate, but never forces him down any path: Almost like a predator that plays with it 's prey before going in for the kill. In addittion, he shows his obssession in the final act of sealing up Fortunado and leaving him to his cold envirnoment. Edgar Allan Poe was able to not only show the lengths some will go through when seeking revenge, but also how obssessions over one ideals can cause them to perform heinous deeds. In nearly all revenge theme storylines, the reader witness the action that causes the character to seek …show more content…
As White, Patrick says in his “The Cask of Amontillado” A Case for the Defense, “He has his reasons for what he does, and these are reasons we should he ahle to understand. Therein lies a deeper horror in the story.” By living the words Nemo me impune lacessit , Montresor was clearly willing to take the smallest insult towards his family name as a grevious offencse that deserved torture and death. If his pride was smaller, he may have thought more clearly over the situation and come to the conclusion that maybe something as small as an insult shouldn 't result in the ultimate punishment. However, Montersor clearly was able to justify his action due how well he wore his coat of