The author of "The Cask of Amontillado," Edgar Allen Poe, was an American romance period gothic author, poet, and critic. Like most writers, Poe writes about what he knows under the influence of his own opinions and experiences. A close examination of Poe 's canon provides us a sociological perspective of who he was when he was alive. "The Cask of Amontillado" is not an exception. This critical response essay will aim to provide a sociological profile of Poe through his short story "The Cask of Amontillado" by looking at the time period in which the story was set, who the main character is, and who the main character was telling his story to at the end. It is widely known that Poe 's central theme was death, but he also set his stories
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There is a lot of evidence to support this in Poe 's short story. One of our many clues is when Montresor states that his family was a “great and numerous family” (Poe 192). Then again when Montresor describes his family coat of arms is in a foot in a field of azure (Poe192). Azure is the color blue which was used in baroque art to state who was of nobility and close to God. A good example of this is the painting “The Triumph of the Immaculate” by Paolo de Matteis. In this painting we can see God and people of nobility in the color blue. In order to further prove my theory that Montresor was of nobility we look at his possible motive for his crime. Montresor states, “You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was” (Poe 191). Then towards the end Fortunato insults Luchresi (Poe 194). This could lead someone to believe that Fortunato did this to Montresor causing him to lose his status and wealth. Poe gives us the idea that Montresor is confessing his crime to someone by the statement: “For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them” (Poe 197). There are many theories as to who Montresor is talking to. Some theories say that Montresor is talking to a priest, which is a possibility (Baraban 49) (Delaney). Early in the story Montresor says: “You, who so well know the nature of my soul…” (Poe 188), and towards the end he says: "for the love of God!" (Poe 197). Which
There is a lot of evidence to support this in Poe 's short story. One of our many clues is when Montresor states that his family was a “great and numerous family” (Poe 192). Then again when Montresor describes his family coat of arms is in a foot in a field of azure (Poe192). Azure is the color blue which was used in baroque art to state who was of nobility and close to God. A good example of this is the painting “The Triumph of the Immaculate” by Paolo de Matteis. In this painting we can see God and people of nobility in the color blue. In order to further prove my theory that Montresor was of nobility we look at his possible motive for his crime. Montresor states, “You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was” (Poe 191). Then towards the end Fortunato insults Luchresi (Poe 194). This could lead someone to believe that Fortunato did this to Montresor causing him to lose his status and wealth. Poe gives us the idea that Montresor is confessing his crime to someone by the statement: “For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them” (Poe 197). There are many theories as to who Montresor is talking to. Some theories say that Montresor is talking to a priest, which is a possibility (Baraban 49) (Delaney). Early in the story Montresor says: “You, who so well know the nature of my soul…” (Poe 188), and towards the end he says: "for the love of God!" (Poe 197). Which