Jeremy Rueth
Ariel McCarter
English III
6 December 2016
The Cask of Amontillado Literary Analysis The Cask of Amontillado is a work of literature which has a strong allusion to the nature of man, although unlike other common romantic and gothic literature of the time, its theme is not shrouded or unclear. Throughout the story, the writer gives the reader hints as to what will happen and what he is alluding to. The theme of the Cask of Amontillado is revealed throughout the story to be the nature of man, and Poe shows this through clear actions of the characters, setting, foreshadowing, and by alluding to non physical things. The setting and objects in the story are the first representations of the theme. After being insulted by Fortunato, …show more content…
At one point, Fortunato says, "the cough's a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough." This is foreshadowing his death at the hands of Montresor.Montresor then says, "True--true," acknowledging that he will be the one to kill Fortunato. These are not physical objects, but rather allusions to the nature of man and Montresor's plan to kill Fortunato. As the characters travel through the catacombs, they pass “through long walls of piled skeletons.” These skeletons foreshadow Fortunato's death. Montresor says to Fortunato, "You are not of the masons." The masons represent the evil in society and those who would seek to do it harm. Montresor is implying that he is a mason and therefore one of the evils in society. Montresor later says, "But let us proceed to the Amontillado." The Amontillado represents Fortunato's literal death. Unlike the other allusions representing Amontillados desire to kill him, this represents him actually dying at the hands of …show more content…
Throughout the story, the writer gives the reader hints as to what will happen and what he is alluding to. The theme of the Cask of Amontillado is revealed throughout the story to be the nature of man, and Poe shows this through clear actions of the characters, setting, foreshadowing, and by alluding to non physical things. The setting and objects in the story are the first representations of the theme. After being insulted by Fortunato, the main character Montresor takes Fortunato through catacombs. While the catacombs are physical in the story, they represent the subconscious of Montresor. Montresor is planning to kill Fortunato so the catacombs represent this desire. The narrator says, “The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre… .Let us go, nevertheless.” The nitre represents Montresor’s hate for Fortunado, since it causes Fortunado to get sick but has not effect on Montresor himself. Later on in the story, Montresor is “putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire.” The black cloak and mask are a physical representation of death or the “grim reaper.” All of these physical objects in the story represent Montresor’s need to kill Fortunato and the evil nature of
Ariel McCarter
English III
6 December 2016
The Cask of Amontillado Literary Analysis The Cask of Amontillado is a work of literature which has a strong allusion to the nature of man, although unlike other common romantic and gothic literature of the time, its theme is not shrouded or unclear. Throughout the story, the writer gives the reader hints as to what will happen and what he is alluding to. The theme of the Cask of Amontillado is revealed throughout the story to be the nature of man, and Poe shows this through clear actions of the characters, setting, foreshadowing, and by alluding to non physical things. The setting and objects in the story are the first representations of the theme. After being insulted by Fortunato, …show more content…
At one point, Fortunato says, "the cough's a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough." This is foreshadowing his death at the hands of Montresor.Montresor then says, "True--true," acknowledging that he will be the one to kill Fortunato. These are not physical objects, but rather allusions to the nature of man and Montresor's plan to kill Fortunato. As the characters travel through the catacombs, they pass “through long walls of piled skeletons.” These skeletons foreshadow Fortunato's death. Montresor says to Fortunato, "You are not of the masons." The masons represent the evil in society and those who would seek to do it harm. Montresor is implying that he is a mason and therefore one of the evils in society. Montresor later says, "But let us proceed to the Amontillado." The Amontillado represents Fortunato's literal death. Unlike the other allusions representing Amontillados desire to kill him, this represents him actually dying at the hands of …show more content…
Throughout the story, the writer gives the reader hints as to what will happen and what he is alluding to. The theme of the Cask of Amontillado is revealed throughout the story to be the nature of man, and Poe shows this through clear actions of the characters, setting, foreshadowing, and by alluding to non physical things. The setting and objects in the story are the first representations of the theme. After being insulted by Fortunato, the main character Montresor takes Fortunato through catacombs. While the catacombs are physical in the story, they represent the subconscious of Montresor. Montresor is planning to kill Fortunato so the catacombs represent this desire. The narrator says, “The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre… .Let us go, nevertheless.” The nitre represents Montresor’s hate for Fortunado, since it causes Fortunado to get sick but has not effect on Montresor himself. Later on in the story, Montresor is “putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire.” The black cloak and mask are a physical representation of death or the “grim reaper.” All of these physical objects in the story represent Montresor’s need to kill Fortunato and the evil nature of