rough the characterization of Montresor and Fortunato, Edgar Allen Poe’s “A Cask of Amontillado” suggests that a hubris leads to physical and cognitive collapse.
The beginning of Montresor’s arrogance is easily showcased with the use of indirect characterization through his thoughts in the first few sentences of the short story. In his eyes, his bloodline or his family’s name is of paramount importance and anyone who disagrees is considered disrespectful. This can be shown in the text when it states “When Fortunato ventured upon insult, Montresor vowed revenge (Poe 1).” If he accepts an insult, it’s as though he is admitting to being inferior and the only way to prove otherwise, is to obtain revenge. His lust for vengeance is apparent through his dialogue because he says, “I must not only punish but punish with impunity (Poe 1).” His …show more content…
Montresor is very aware of Fortunato’s weakness because he the two have been friends for a long time. Apparently, Fortunato “prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine (Poe 1).” Montresor easily takes advantage of this pretending to have a cask of Amontillado to lure Fortunato to the basement. The Amontillado is a very rare wine so guarantees Fortunato’s attention. To ensure this, Montresor teases and taunts Fortunato by offering to Luchesi to taste the wine because “if anyone has a critical turn, it is he (Poe 2).” This challenges Fortunato’s self-worth and insults both Luchesi and Montresor in the process by stating “you have been imposed upon; and as for Luchesi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado (Poe 2).” This goes to show that Fortunato's pride is of such importance that he is too ignorant to notice the effect his digs have on Montresor, someone who is meant to be his friend. His inflated ego is what ends up leading him to fall for Montresor’s trap and this is shown through Fortunato's actions and
The beginning of Montresor’s arrogance is easily showcased with the use of indirect characterization through his thoughts in the first few sentences of the short story. In his eyes, his bloodline or his family’s name is of paramount importance and anyone who disagrees is considered disrespectful. This can be shown in the text when it states “When Fortunato ventured upon insult, Montresor vowed revenge (Poe 1).” If he accepts an insult, it’s as though he is admitting to being inferior and the only way to prove otherwise, is to obtain revenge. His lust for vengeance is apparent through his dialogue because he says, “I must not only punish but punish with impunity (Poe 1).” His …show more content…
Montresor is very aware of Fortunato’s weakness because he the two have been friends for a long time. Apparently, Fortunato “prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine (Poe 1).” Montresor easily takes advantage of this pretending to have a cask of Amontillado to lure Fortunato to the basement. The Amontillado is a very rare wine so guarantees Fortunato’s attention. To ensure this, Montresor teases and taunts Fortunato by offering to Luchesi to taste the wine because “if anyone has a critical turn, it is he (Poe 2).” This challenges Fortunato’s self-worth and insults both Luchesi and Montresor in the process by stating “you have been imposed upon; and as for Luchesi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado (Poe 2).” This goes to show that Fortunato's pride is of such importance that he is too ignorant to notice the effect his digs have on Montresor, someone who is meant to be his friend. His inflated ego is what ends up leading him to fall for Montresor’s trap and this is shown through Fortunato's actions and