Literary Criticism Of The Cask Of Amontillado

For our last paper I decided to base my topic on “The Cask of Amontillado.” When first given the story I came to the conclusion before reading it that this would not be interesting. I was proven wrong shortly afterwards. I became quite intrigued with Edgar Allan Poe’s use of literary techniques to get his point across. “The Cask of Amontillado” was first published in November of 1846 in an issue of Godey’s Lady’s Book. While researching this topic I found that Poe had a much deeper meaning than the words that appeared on the paper. Poe’s use of irony, symbolism, and text structure each contribute to the true, dark meaning of the short story. For example, Poe uses the character’s names as a form of symbolism. The narrator, Montresor, name …show more content…
The story is told in the first person’s point of view to display the twisted, sadistic thoughts of Montresor as he goes through with the crime, and still tells the story with pride after half a decade. We learn in the first few sentences that Montresor thinks very highly of himself and is vengeful. Montresor then explains his plans of vengeance and introduces himself as an “avenger” to Fortunato. Montresor expressed his feelings towards Fortunato in the first sentence by stating, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best as I could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge.” The specific insult that Fortunato uses remain unknown to the audience, but it seems that Fortunato may have insulted the family’s honor, or more importantly, Montresor’s pride. Once he establishes the introduction of himself, Fortunato, and the setting he progresses to tell the story. Montresor uses Fortunato’s sin of gluttony (excessive drinking) and pride against him to lure him down into the wine cellar. Montresor’s family motto is, “Nemo me impune lacessit” which translates to “No one provokes me with impunity.” Montresor takes “justice” into his own hands and shows Fortunato that he will no longer insult nor provoke him any longer.Fortunato has reaped what he sowed and now he has to pay got the insults and humiliation he caused …show more content…
Even as he confesses his sin for forgiveness, he still believes that what he did was not wrong and even boast about his crime. The story ends with the phrase, “In pace requiescat” or “rest in peace.” Montresor concludes that no one has disturbed the stones that confined Fortunato, and even goes on to state in pace requiescat, but, even after fifty years the successful revenge against Fortunato still has a hold on him and he will not be able to find peace. Perchance, Montresor was not wishing for a restful death for Fortunato, but for his damned soul from the crime he