“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is a short story detailing the revenge of a man that could not endure the insult of a rival (183). The theme of this mid-1800’s horror story is alluded to in the title, a cask of desired Spanish sherry used as a lure. Temptation for a man whose weakness happens to be alcohol. Weaknesses are used repeatedly to goad the plot forward, giving warning to all that anyone can be reached by those they trod upon. Montresor is the man who tells this story, foreshadowing the dark nature of the story by sharing how he “must not only punish, but punish with impunity” (183). Montresor tells his audience that he borne “the thousand injuries of Fortunato” (183) but could not handle a perceived insult without
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Coaxed the final few by a last dig at his ego to which he replies, “[Luchesi] is an ignoramus” (186). Hark the fact that Fortunato is about to be chained to a wall never to be seen again because of his ignorance and pride. As Montresor slowly lays each tier of masonry he takes the time to enjoy the suffering of his victim (186). He mocks his victim’s struggles; shouting down his pleas (187). In the end, Montresor has sealed his rival deep within the bowels of his family’s crypt (185) with no one the wiser until he decides to share his story with his audience 50 years after the murder had taken place …show more content…
When taken in context with Edgar Allan Poe’s own lifetime, the similarities between the stories setting of early 1700 Venice and his own are stark. Both times when the wealthy and privileged did what they willed without any thought of its effects on others. The expansionist movement of Poe’s America was routinely stepping on people’s rights in the quest for more power and influence, while Venice in the early 1700’s was fracturing under the stresses caused by maintaining its expansionist territories. Poe is known to be a horror author and this story seems tailored to scare those in power. A warning to be wary of harming those you step upon to reach such lofty heights. Just because you are powerful doesn’t mean another can’t use their abilities to ruin you. A warning directed towards the emerging business class of mid-1800’s America and the government’s continued aggressive actions towards the native peoples of
Coaxed the final few by a last dig at his ego to which he replies, “[Luchesi] is an ignoramus” (186). Hark the fact that Fortunato is about to be chained to a wall never to be seen again because of his ignorance and pride. As Montresor slowly lays each tier of masonry he takes the time to enjoy the suffering of his victim (186). He mocks his victim’s struggles; shouting down his pleas (187). In the end, Montresor has sealed his rival deep within the bowels of his family’s crypt (185) with no one the wiser until he decides to share his story with his audience 50 years after the murder had taken place …show more content…
When taken in context with Edgar Allan Poe’s own lifetime, the similarities between the stories setting of early 1700 Venice and his own are stark. Both times when the wealthy and privileged did what they willed without any thought of its effects on others. The expansionist movement of Poe’s America was routinely stepping on people’s rights in the quest for more power and influence, while Venice in the early 1700’s was fracturing under the stresses caused by maintaining its expansionist territories. Poe is known to be a horror author and this story seems tailored to scare those in power. A warning to be wary of harming those you step upon to reach such lofty heights. Just because you are powerful doesn’t mean another can’t use their abilities to ruin you. A warning directed towards the emerging business class of mid-1800’s America and the government’s continued aggressive actions towards the native peoples of