The satisfaction of sweet revenge is enough to make even the most innocent being sacrifice their freedom, such is the case in Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, “The cask of Amontillado”. In Poe’s story, the protagonist, Montresor, seeks vengeance on Fortunato for the insults he has spoken. Montresor shares that Fortunato has added insult to injury and that he will not allow him to get away with such acts, and for that reason, Montresor carefully plans and executes revenge in the form of a live burial. Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs by offering him Amontillado, but in reality, Fortunato is being led to his imminent death. Although Montresor doesn’t go into detail of the insults or events leading up to the revenge, he makes it clear
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During his recall of events he mentions a conversation between himself and Fortunato about his family motto, “Nemo me impune lacessit” which translates into “No one provokes me with impunity”. (167). Montresor was raised with the belief that anyone who provokes him must be punished; therefore, Montresor is able to rationalize that his act of revenge is the only answer to the insults he received by Fortunato. Growing up in a family that preached and lived by its motto, it is reasonable to say that Montresor knows no other way of handling this situation. The family motto contributes to Montresor’s justification that retribution must …show more content…
As the two are walking deeper into the catacombs, Fortunato begins to cough, prompting Montresor to tell him “Come, we will go back; your health is precious.” (167) Montresor knows very well that Fortunato will not agree to turn around and goes on to say “You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter” (167). It is during this time in the catacombs that Montresor reveals his belief that Fortunato’s life is more precious than his own and that he is no longer happy. Montresor views Fortunato as holding a higher social status than himself, a status Montresor believes he is not deserving of. It is likely that Montresor does not believe Fortunato should be a member of the Masons and feels further justified in his crime when Fortunato exclaims that it is impossible that Montresor is also a Mason; undoubtedly, hurting his pride and encouraging him to seek exact revenge in order to honor the Montresor family
During his recall of events he mentions a conversation between himself and Fortunato about his family motto, “Nemo me impune lacessit” which translates into “No one provokes me with impunity”. (167). Montresor was raised with the belief that anyone who provokes him must be punished; therefore, Montresor is able to rationalize that his act of revenge is the only answer to the insults he received by Fortunato. Growing up in a family that preached and lived by its motto, it is reasonable to say that Montresor knows no other way of handling this situation. The family motto contributes to Montresor’s justification that retribution must …show more content…
As the two are walking deeper into the catacombs, Fortunato begins to cough, prompting Montresor to tell him “Come, we will go back; your health is precious.” (167) Montresor knows very well that Fortunato will not agree to turn around and goes on to say “You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter” (167). It is during this time in the catacombs that Montresor reveals his belief that Fortunato’s life is more precious than his own and that he is no longer happy. Montresor views Fortunato as holding a higher social status than himself, a status Montresor believes he is not deserving of. It is likely that Montresor does not believe Fortunato should be a member of the Masons and feels further justified in his crime when Fortunato exclaims that it is impossible that Montresor is also a Mason; undoubtedly, hurting his pride and encouraging him to seek exact revenge in order to honor the Montresor family