The Cask Of Amontillado Character Analysis

Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado” illustrates the wrong-doing of the character Montresor upon his friend, Fortunato, after what seems like a difference in opinions. Readers may wonder what drove Montresor to act as harshly as he did, but the reason may lie in the psychological dysfunctions imposed on his character. Montresor’s narcissistic, antisocial, and psychopathic ways led him to commit an act of murder upon Fortunato. A Narcissistic Personality Disorder is reflected through the character of Montresor. Those with this condition find themselves requiring an excessive amount of admiration, exploiting others in ways that takes advantage of them, and lacking empathy towards others by not recognizing their feelings (Narcissistic). While it is not apparent that Montresor needs “excessive” admiration, it is revealed that his desire to murder Fortunato is due to the fact that he insulted him as the story begins with the sentence “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge,” proving that this “revenge” was merely over a negative comment towards Montresor (Poe 166). It seems to show that Montresor was easily offended by remarks that were not to …show more content…
Montresor’s charm plays in the most when he flatters Fortunato’s knowledge of wine and therefore manipulates him into wanting to follow Montresor into his vaults. Montresor continues by exploiting Fortunato’s knowledge and fondness of wines when after he tells Fortunato that he has come across a cask of Amontillado, he successfully lures him into his trap when he states “I am on my way to Luchresi. If anyone has a critical turn it is he. He will tell me—,” to which Fortunato is fully convinced that Montresor did indeed have the Amontillado and was intent on joining him (Poe