Revenge is a sickness that plagues the mind and ends lives. In the short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” by Edgar Allan Poe, revenge is taken to the point of murder, simply for the act of insulting an individual to the breaking point. The breaking point was the night of a carnival, where Montresor exacted his revenge by leading Fortunato into the family catacombs, with intent of ending his life. While society would feel that killing is an extreme measure for the act of teasing, there is a certain amount of foolishness from both parties involved. By reading “The Cask of Amontillado,” a reader will learn that foolishness can lead to a person’s downfall by understanding the setting, the symbolism, and the conflict involved in the story.
First, …show more content…
Fortunato was known as a connoisseur of old wines and was proud of his talented palette. To set the trap, all Montresor had to do was suggest that Luchresi could tell if the Amontillado was real, and Fortunato’s ego would take over by stating, “His taste is a match for your own.” Fortunato’s ego would not allow him to pass up the opportunity to prove his superiority over Luchresi, thus, setting in motion the events of Fortunato’s demise. Montresor is not exempt from internal conflict. Montresor, throughout the story, gives multiple opportunities for Fortunato to give up his foolish escapade and to leave the catacombs; however, once Fortunato is chained up in the recess of the catacombs, Montresor knows the deed cannot be undone. During the walling in of Fortunato, Montresor enjoys listening to the torture of Fortunato realizing what is happening. By the end, with Fortunato is no longer responding, reality sets in and Montresor must now live with murder. Fortunato’s foolish ego leads to his demise; however, Montresor’s revenge makes him a fool. When Montresor throws the torch in Fortunato’s tomb and realizes he is already dead, Montresor’s idea of Fortunato’s torture and eventual suffocation is no longer a possibility. Montresor stated, “My heart grows sick,” realizing that the deed is done, but the scheme did not go as planned. Montresor’s downfall is his foolish attempt as revenge for the “thousand injuries” he received at the hands of
First, …show more content…
Fortunato was known as a connoisseur of old wines and was proud of his talented palette. To set the trap, all Montresor had to do was suggest that Luchresi could tell if the Amontillado was real, and Fortunato’s ego would take over by stating, “His taste is a match for your own.” Fortunato’s ego would not allow him to pass up the opportunity to prove his superiority over Luchresi, thus, setting in motion the events of Fortunato’s demise. Montresor is not exempt from internal conflict. Montresor, throughout the story, gives multiple opportunities for Fortunato to give up his foolish escapade and to leave the catacombs; however, once Fortunato is chained up in the recess of the catacombs, Montresor knows the deed cannot be undone. During the walling in of Fortunato, Montresor enjoys listening to the torture of Fortunato realizing what is happening. By the end, with Fortunato is no longer responding, reality sets in and Montresor must now live with murder. Fortunato’s foolish ego leads to his demise; however, Montresor’s revenge makes him a fool. When Montresor throws the torch in Fortunato’s tomb and realizes he is already dead, Montresor’s idea of Fortunato’s torture and eventual suffocation is no longer a possibility. Montresor stated, “My heart grows sick,” realizing that the deed is done, but the scheme did not go as planned. Montresor’s downfall is his foolish attempt as revenge for the “thousand injuries” he received at the hands of