Premeditated When one attacks another with the intent of killing, they are guilty of 1st degree murder. In the short story “The Cask of Amontillado”, by Edgar Allan Poe, a character whom would be guilty of such an indiscretion is Montresor. In the story Montressor seeks out to murder Fortunato in a torturous way. By planning to kill Fortunato, and carrying out the plan, Montresor deserves to be penalised in court with the sentencing of 1st degree murder by Illinois law of the year 2011. In the text, it is shown that Montresor plans to kill Fortunato when he carries a trowel to the catacombs in order to seal Fortunato in the walls. By Illinois law he is guilty of 1st degree murder because “...the murder was committed in a cold, calculated and premeditated manner pursuant to a preconceived plan.” (Illinois Compiled Statutes -- First Degree Murder 9-2 b11). This shows that he is guilty based on the fact that
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In order to not be tried for his crimes he would have to “lack substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct” (Jury Instructions -- Insanity). This means he would have not realize what he is doing is wrong or illegal. Montresor knew what he was doing was wrong and decided to do it anyway. He felt as if Fortunato wronged him and he wanted revenge. It shown in the text that he wants revenge when he says “I must not only punish but punish with impunity” (Poe 18). He was drinking, but he still knew what he was doing was wrong. This is shown by the fact that the body was hidden in the catacombs and planned to do so prior, shown by the nature Fortunato’s death and materials needed in order to do so. He may have been mentally ill, but far from insane. He deliberately hid the body in a secluded area because he knew it was wrong and was aiming to get away with
In order to not be tried for his crimes he would have to “lack substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct” (Jury Instructions -- Insanity). This means he would have not realize what he is doing is wrong or illegal. Montresor knew what he was doing was wrong and decided to do it anyway. He felt as if Fortunato wronged him and he wanted revenge. It shown in the text that he wants revenge when he says “I must not only punish but punish with impunity” (Poe 18). He was drinking, but he still knew what he was doing was wrong. This is shown by the fact that the body was hidden in the catacombs and planned to do so prior, shown by the nature Fortunato’s death and materials needed in order to do so. He may have been mentally ill, but far from insane. He deliberately hid the body in a secluded area because he knew it was wrong and was aiming to get away with