Character Analysis of Montresor in “The Cask of Amontillado”
“The Cask of Amontillado” is written by Edgar Allen Poe. Poe is famous for his Gothic fiction, and this story is a perfect example of it. Montresor who is the main protagonist in the story, demonstrates the dark and ugly side of human nature. His personality and motives are equivalent to a super villain in a story. “The Cask of Amontillado” revolves around how Montresor seeks revenge on his “once a friend, now an enemy” Fortunato. He lures Fortunato into believing that he has found the Amontillado and manages to get him into his gruesome catacombs. Even though his way of seeking revenge is extremely vicious, he gets away with it. He achieves his long desired goal only because of his incredibly haughty, manipulative, and callous nature. Montresor can be considered haughty and prideful …show more content…
He shows a constant, cruel, and sadistic disregard for Fortunato. This callous trait can be recognized in so many scenes of the story. At the very start of the story, he says, “I continued..to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (3). This line clearly shows that the thought of Fortunato’s destruction evokes pleasure in Montresor. Along with this, Montresor always adds his sadistic sarcasm when he speaks to Fortunato. An excellent example of this is when Fortunato says, “I drink to the buried that repose around us” (6) and Montresor replies by saying, “And I to your long life” (6). Montresor proves to the readers that he is very eager and excited to murder Fortunato. Montresor’s sadistic sarcasm can be compared to a super villain’s barbarous laugh when the protagonist of the story is defeated or dead. Montresor definitely enjoys how Fortunato is stuck in his trap and the thought of how he is nearing his death. Montresor's callous nature keeps him driven throughout and helps him achieve his
“The Cask of Amontillado” is written by Edgar Allen Poe. Poe is famous for his Gothic fiction, and this story is a perfect example of it. Montresor who is the main protagonist in the story, demonstrates the dark and ugly side of human nature. His personality and motives are equivalent to a super villain in a story. “The Cask of Amontillado” revolves around how Montresor seeks revenge on his “once a friend, now an enemy” Fortunato. He lures Fortunato into believing that he has found the Amontillado and manages to get him into his gruesome catacombs. Even though his way of seeking revenge is extremely vicious, he gets away with it. He achieves his long desired goal only because of his incredibly haughty, manipulative, and callous nature. Montresor can be considered haughty and prideful …show more content…
He shows a constant, cruel, and sadistic disregard for Fortunato. This callous trait can be recognized in so many scenes of the story. At the very start of the story, he says, “I continued..to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (3). This line clearly shows that the thought of Fortunato’s destruction evokes pleasure in Montresor. Along with this, Montresor always adds his sadistic sarcasm when he speaks to Fortunato. An excellent example of this is when Fortunato says, “I drink to the buried that repose around us” (6) and Montresor replies by saying, “And I to your long life” (6). Montresor proves to the readers that he is very eager and excited to murder Fortunato. Montresor’s sadistic sarcasm can be compared to a super villain’s barbarous laugh when the protagonist of the story is defeated or dead. Montresor definitely enjoys how Fortunato is stuck in his trap and the thought of how he is nearing his death. Montresor's callous nature keeps him driven throughout and helps him achieve his