The Cask of Amontillado, a Story of Revenge
“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a tragic tale of vengeance between two friends. The story uses the first person perspective where Montresor, narrates the story on how he bears a grudge against his friend Fortunato for insulting him. Poe does not disclose the insults but highlights the narrator’s obsession for revenge. However, in the narrative, Fortunato is depicted as kind, friendly and innocent while Montresor is evil. As a resulted, he lures Fortunato to the catacombs on the pretense of tasting his refined wine to execute his murder. The essay explores revenge in “The Cask of Amontillado” through the theme and symbolism depicted in the story.
The story commences with Montresor …show more content…
Montresor narrates the story, making it impossible for readers to identify the truth and the evil perpetuated against him. Although he is obsessed with revenge against Fortunato, Montresor does not detail the events of the insult, which he claimed caused harm to his good will. As they walk through the catacombs, Montresor defines his family coat of arms as “A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel” (Poe 6). The foot symbolizes Montresor while Fortunato is the serpent who will be crushed. Similarly, the family motto translates that “no one can harm me unpunished” asserts Montresor’s desire for revenge. By burying Fortunato under the stones and mortar, and subjecting him to a slow but painful death, Montresor believe that he has avenged all the wrongdoings. According to Ming Lau (81), Montresor was just justifying his hatred towards Fortunato by feeling that he needed to revenge against undisclosed insults.
In conclusion, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a story of revenge as depicted through the themes and symbols in the narrative. Montresor the protagonist and the narrator highlights the events on how he planned and murdered Fortunato for insulting him. However, the author does not indicate the nature of the insult of harm, which Fortunato committed against
“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a tragic tale of vengeance between two friends. The story uses the first person perspective where Montresor, narrates the story on how he bears a grudge against his friend Fortunato for insulting him. Poe does not disclose the insults but highlights the narrator’s obsession for revenge. However, in the narrative, Fortunato is depicted as kind, friendly and innocent while Montresor is evil. As a resulted, he lures Fortunato to the catacombs on the pretense of tasting his refined wine to execute his murder. The essay explores revenge in “The Cask of Amontillado” through the theme and symbolism depicted in the story.
The story commences with Montresor …show more content…
Montresor narrates the story, making it impossible for readers to identify the truth and the evil perpetuated against him. Although he is obsessed with revenge against Fortunato, Montresor does not detail the events of the insult, which he claimed caused harm to his good will. As they walk through the catacombs, Montresor defines his family coat of arms as “A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel” (Poe 6). The foot symbolizes Montresor while Fortunato is the serpent who will be crushed. Similarly, the family motto translates that “no one can harm me unpunished” asserts Montresor’s desire for revenge. By burying Fortunato under the stones and mortar, and subjecting him to a slow but painful death, Montresor believe that he has avenged all the wrongdoings. According to Ming Lau (81), Montresor was just justifying his hatred towards Fortunato by feeling that he needed to revenge against undisclosed insults.
In conclusion, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a story of revenge as depicted through the themes and symbols in the narrative. Montresor the protagonist and the narrator highlights the events on how he planned and murdered Fortunato for insulting him. However, the author does not indicate the nature of the insult of harm, which Fortunato committed against