Analysis of a Short Story: the Cask of Amontillado
“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe
The short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is about a psychopath named Montresor who tells the story of how he murdered a man called Fortunato. The use of the murderer's perspective is very appropriate because this short story is about the emotions and events of Montresor himself and not of any other character. The story begins with Montresor explaining to the readers that he “vowed revenge” (Poe) towards Fortunato who “ventured upon insult” (Poe). Fortunato takes pride in his extensive knowledge of fine wines. Montresor uses this pride to manipulate his victim by informing Fortunato about his purchase of a rare cask of Amontillado. Montresor explains that he is not certain that he made a good deal and that he wants to ask Luchresi to confirm if it is infact the rare wine. Fortunato offers his services and follows Montresor to the family catacombs under the Montresor mansion where he assumingly stores the rare cask of Amontillado. During the long walk in the catacombs, Montresor opens bottles of wine to keep his victim drunk and uses his manipulative ways to convince Fortunato even more to continue even though Fortunato has trouble breathing because of the nitre. When reaching the end, Montresor chains his victim into a three sided crypte and starts building the forth wall. When the wall reached his middle, Montresor feels a brief moment of hesitation but continues burying Fortunato alive. At the end of the short story, Montresor reveals that fifty years have passed without anyone knowing the truth. Edgar Allan Poe's short story states that revenge has uncertain rewards and will not always give you the peace you seek.
The protagonist of Poe's “The Cask of Amontillado” is Montresor who, as he claims, comes from a large, influential lineage but is the last of the Montresor family. He is a complex character because he has different layers and emotions. He finds himself insulted by Fortunato and seeks
The short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is about a psychopath named Montresor who tells the story of how he murdered a man called Fortunato. The use of the murderer's perspective is very appropriate because this short story is about the emotions and events of Montresor himself and not of any other character. The story begins with Montresor explaining to the readers that he “vowed revenge” (Poe) towards Fortunato who “ventured upon insult” (Poe). Fortunato takes pride in his extensive knowledge of fine wines. Montresor uses this pride to manipulate his victim by informing Fortunato about his purchase of a rare cask of Amontillado. Montresor explains that he is not certain that he made a good deal and that he wants to ask Luchresi to confirm if it is infact the rare wine. Fortunato offers his services and follows Montresor to the family catacombs under the Montresor mansion where he assumingly stores the rare cask of Amontillado. During the long walk in the catacombs, Montresor opens bottles of wine to keep his victim drunk and uses his manipulative ways to convince Fortunato even more to continue even though Fortunato has trouble breathing because of the nitre. When reaching the end, Montresor chains his victim into a three sided crypte and starts building the forth wall. When the wall reached his middle, Montresor feels a brief moment of hesitation but continues burying Fortunato alive. At the end of the short story, Montresor reveals that fifty years have passed without anyone knowing the truth. Edgar Allan Poe's short story states that revenge has uncertain rewards and will not always give you the peace you seek.
The protagonist of Poe's “The Cask of Amontillado” is Montresor who, as he claims, comes from a large, influential lineage but is the last of the Montresor family. He is a complex character because he has different layers and emotions. He finds himself insulted by Fortunato and seeks