Cask Of Amontillado Literary Analysis
Edgar Allan Poe focuses on revenge in “Cask of Amontillado” by using a perfect plan, many cases of irony, and specific setting, that sets the mood.
In this short story, Montresor, is trying to get revenge on Fortunato, for some unthinkable action. In order for the murder to happen, Montresor needed a perfect plan. On page five, Montresor starts to lure Fortunato in by saying “As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me-” After Montresor says this, Fortunato responds with “Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry.” Luring Fortunato in, was just the first part of the plan. Montresor, then had to get Fortunato into the basement. Montresor got Fortunato into the basement by basically
getting him drunk. Montresor then, traps him, and kills him. On page twelve, Poe describes the scene as “As I said these words, I busied myself among the pile of bones which I have before spoken. Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar. With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.” Montresor’s plan, had a lot of thinking behind it. He had to make sure, that by doing this, Fortunato would really die. Montresor also thought creatively, because most of the time, murderers do not take the time to plot a murder.
Adding on, Poe uses many cases of Irony to set the theme of revenge. On page eight of the short story, Fortunato has seemed to get sick, because of how damp and moldy the basement was. Montresor uses reverse psychology by saying “We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi-” Fortunato then replies with “Enough. The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me.” This is an example of irony because later on, he dies, in the basement. Also on page eight, Montresor was getting Fortunato drunk. Montresor then makes a toast, saying “And I to your long life,” but later on, Montresor kills him. Irony is a key factor in the story, enhancing the theme of revenge.
Lastly, the theme of revenge is thickened by the setting, which sets the scene. The setting starts of at a carnival, where it would be suspected to be upbeat and happy, but something was brewing beneath the surface. Then the setting changes into a wine tasting room, where Montresor starts to put his plan i place. After getting Fortunato drunk, he leads him down into the cellar, where Fortunato thought he was going to try the Amontillado. Montresor leads him down the stairs and into the catacombs. The setting on page nine of the catacombs is described as “We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs.” This gives a spooky mood, because of the spooky setting. Without the setting, the short story would have not have a deep enhancing effect as it does with the setting.
In conclusion, having a perfect plan, several cases of irony, and specific setting, enhances the theme of revenge in the short story “Cask of Amontillado,” written by Edgar Allan Poe.
In this short story, Montresor, is trying to get revenge on Fortunato, for some unthinkable action. In order for the murder to happen, Montresor needed a perfect plan. On page five, Montresor starts to lure Fortunato in by saying “As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me-” After Montresor says this, Fortunato responds with “Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry.” Luring Fortunato in, was just the first part of the plan. Montresor, then had to get Fortunato into the basement. Montresor got Fortunato into the basement by basically
getting him drunk. Montresor then, traps him, and kills him. On page twelve, Poe describes the scene as “As I said these words, I busied myself among the pile of bones which I have before spoken. Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar. With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.” Montresor’s plan, had a lot of thinking behind it. He had to make sure, that by doing this, Fortunato would really die. Montresor also thought creatively, because most of the time, murderers do not take the time to plot a murder.
Adding on, Poe uses many cases of Irony to set the theme of revenge. On page eight of the short story, Fortunato has seemed to get sick, because of how damp and moldy the basement was. Montresor uses reverse psychology by saying “We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi-” Fortunato then replies with “Enough. The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me.” This is an example of irony because later on, he dies, in the basement. Also on page eight, Montresor was getting Fortunato drunk. Montresor then makes a toast, saying “And I to your long life,” but later on, Montresor kills him. Irony is a key factor in the story, enhancing the theme of revenge.
Lastly, the theme of revenge is thickened by the setting, which sets the scene. The setting starts of at a carnival, where it would be suspected to be upbeat and happy, but something was brewing beneath the surface. Then the setting changes into a wine tasting room, where Montresor starts to put his plan i place. After getting Fortunato drunk, he leads him down into the cellar, where Fortunato thought he was going to try the Amontillado. Montresor leads him down the stairs and into the catacombs. The setting on page nine of the catacombs is described as “We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs.” This gives a spooky mood, because of the spooky setting. Without the setting, the short story would have not have a deep enhancing effect as it does with the setting.
In conclusion, having a perfect plan, several cases of irony, and specific setting, enhances the theme of revenge in the short story “Cask of Amontillado,” written by Edgar Allan Poe.