Deception in Literature
Deception in Literature
Deception has been a vital part of literature for as long as writing itself has been relevant. This being said there is more than one method or type of deception present; this essay will use three pieces of literature to further understand the different types of deceit that an individual can, and most likely will interpret from literature. The three pieces of writing that will be picked for this are as follows: “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Othello by William Shakespeare. These three different pieces all have deceit within them. However it takes a different rhythm and rhyme in each. Deception while almost always relevant cloaks itself in many different shapes and forms throughout literature past and present. In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, the deceit is in one of those most direct and simplest forms to decipher. This book details an unnamed individual who brings an unwitting “friend” into the Catacombs beneath his estate for what he insists is a fine alcohol beverage hidden in the deepest depths. Throughout the entire piece he lies to his friend, not necessarily complex lies, but simple well thought out deception. We see this obviously in the line, “I shall not die of a cough.” “True – true,” I replied.” (Edgar Allen Poe, 37-38) By uttering this line we discover that the unknown antagonist/protagonist is aware of what is about to happen. He knows the other man will die within these walls, however he does not take necessary delight in this fact, instead confirms the mans’ thought; he will not die of a cough. The deception is shown through small, well thought out lies such as this that he ultimately brings the death to this unknowing individual. He never tells him of his fate, warns him nor gives him the opportunity to avoid such a death, instead he lures him seemingly innocently into the cold and mossy embrace of death. This is one of the most direct forms of
Deception has been a vital part of literature for as long as writing itself has been relevant. This being said there is more than one method or type of deception present; this essay will use three pieces of literature to further understand the different types of deceit that an individual can, and most likely will interpret from literature. The three pieces of writing that will be picked for this are as follows: “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Othello by William Shakespeare. These three different pieces all have deceit within them. However it takes a different rhythm and rhyme in each. Deception while almost always relevant cloaks itself in many different shapes and forms throughout literature past and present. In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, the deceit is in one of those most direct and simplest forms to decipher. This book details an unnamed individual who brings an unwitting “friend” into the Catacombs beneath his estate for what he insists is a fine alcohol beverage hidden in the deepest depths. Throughout the entire piece he lies to his friend, not necessarily complex lies, but simple well thought out deception. We see this obviously in the line, “I shall not die of a cough.” “True – true,” I replied.” (Edgar Allen Poe, 37-38) By uttering this line we discover that the unknown antagonist/protagonist is aware of what is about to happen. He knows the other man will die within these walls, however he does not take necessary delight in this fact, instead confirms the mans’ thought; he will not die of a cough. The deception is shown through small, well thought out lies such as this that he ultimately brings the death to this unknowing individual. He never tells him of his fate, warns him nor gives him the opportunity to avoid such a death, instead he lures him seemingly innocently into the cold and mossy embrace of death. This is one of the most direct forms of
Bibliography: Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. James Thomas Fields, 1850. Poe, Edgar. The Cask of Amontillado. Godey’s Lady book, 1846. Shakespeare, William. Othello. Oxford Schooling, 1622.