Fortunato's Downfall In The Cask Of Amontillado
Regina Short
Mrs. Gaul
English, Per 7
13 February 2013
“The cask of Amontillado” Essay Fortunato was a very flawed character, which showed through and through. He made many attempts to lead him to his own success that led him to failure. Fortunato’s demise involved two people, himself and an old enemy he was unaware of, Montresor. Although, this was not all his fault, part of this was self-induced. Fortunato was a man of pride, gluttony, arrogance and greed. Montresor, on the other hand, is a man of tactfulness, intelligence, manipulative traits and no remorse. These were two key points that directed Fortunato to his current state. Three traits that led Fortunato to his demise and made him an easy target were his gluttony, trust or naivety, and his pride. One trait that led to Fortunato’s downfall was his pride. When Fortunato was asked to test wine, instead of his opponent, he said, “Let us go nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have not been imposed upon. And as for Luchesi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado.” Fortunato has a lot of pride because he would give up being at a carnival to test wine, in the cold, over his …show more content…
rival, Luchesi. In addition, Fortunato has insulted Luchesi by saying that he cannot tell a Sherry from Amontillado. He has proven he has a lot of pride by subtly hinting that he is better than someone else. Fortunato was also very absent minded when he heard his opponent’s name because he wants to be better than him so badly. He would do anything to be better than Luchesi, his rival. Pride may sometimes be a good trait, but in this circumstance it was the complete opposite. Another trait that made Fortunato an easy target was him being too naïve. Despite the fact that Montresor worked with Fortunato, and may have been a good friend, it would’ve taken a fool not to recognize that Montresor was trying to trick him. For example when Fortunato starts coughing the slightest bit, Montresor says, “ Come, we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as I once was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi--”. Montresor was being way too gratifying and pleasing. This also ties in with his pride because as soon as he says, “...Besides, there is Luchesi” he responds quickly saying that he is fine and up to the task. Fortunato was really trusting of Montresor; he let him take him into catacombs. His gullibility got him shorthanded in the end. Lastly, another trait that made Fortunato an easy target was his greed for wine.
He was so gluttonous. For example an already tipsy Fortunato says, “It is nothing, let us go on. But first, another draught of the Medoc.” Fortunato let his greed for wine consume him. He was already incoherent when they were walking the catacombs and he just couldn’t pass up any offered or unoffered alcohol. This was definitely one of the main reasons for his demise. Another example is when he is buried and shouts, “The Amontillado”. As he was buried he still groveled for the Amontillado, he was an alcoholic. If he weren’t so greedy and could drink in moderation, he would have had enough in him to pass up Montresor’s offer and go home safely. Fortunato’s greed for wine and higher position were the main causes of his
demise. Three traits of greed, pride, and gullibility led Fortunato to be an easy target. If he would’ve taken simple precautions and maybe changed his ways for a bit, he would’ve been safe. He led himself to his own demise. His own traits and some bad habits were not playing to his benefit. Once again I will say there were two sides of this but Fortunato’s was the main cause. Everything was up to him. To sum up, Fortunato’s negative traits outweighed the good.
Mrs. Gaul
English, Per 7
13 February 2013
“The cask of Amontillado” Essay Fortunato was a very flawed character, which showed through and through. He made many attempts to lead him to his own success that led him to failure. Fortunato’s demise involved two people, himself and an old enemy he was unaware of, Montresor. Although, this was not all his fault, part of this was self-induced. Fortunato was a man of pride, gluttony, arrogance and greed. Montresor, on the other hand, is a man of tactfulness, intelligence, manipulative traits and no remorse. These were two key points that directed Fortunato to his current state. Three traits that led Fortunato to his demise and made him an easy target were his gluttony, trust or naivety, and his pride. One trait that led to Fortunato’s downfall was his pride. When Fortunato was asked to test wine, instead of his opponent, he said, “Let us go nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have not been imposed upon. And as for Luchesi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado.” Fortunato has a lot of pride because he would give up being at a carnival to test wine, in the cold, over his …show more content…
rival, Luchesi. In addition, Fortunato has insulted Luchesi by saying that he cannot tell a Sherry from Amontillado. He has proven he has a lot of pride by subtly hinting that he is better than someone else. Fortunato was also very absent minded when he heard his opponent’s name because he wants to be better than him so badly. He would do anything to be better than Luchesi, his rival. Pride may sometimes be a good trait, but in this circumstance it was the complete opposite. Another trait that made Fortunato an easy target was him being too naïve. Despite the fact that Montresor worked with Fortunato, and may have been a good friend, it would’ve taken a fool not to recognize that Montresor was trying to trick him. For example when Fortunato starts coughing the slightest bit, Montresor says, “ Come, we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as I once was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi--”. Montresor was being way too gratifying and pleasing. This also ties in with his pride because as soon as he says, “...Besides, there is Luchesi” he responds quickly saying that he is fine and up to the task. Fortunato was really trusting of Montresor; he let him take him into catacombs. His gullibility got him shorthanded in the end. Lastly, another trait that made Fortunato an easy target was his greed for wine.
He was so gluttonous. For example an already tipsy Fortunato says, “It is nothing, let us go on. But first, another draught of the Medoc.” Fortunato let his greed for wine consume him. He was already incoherent when they were walking the catacombs and he just couldn’t pass up any offered or unoffered alcohol. This was definitely one of the main reasons for his demise. Another example is when he is buried and shouts, “The Amontillado”. As he was buried he still groveled for the Amontillado, he was an alcoholic. If he weren’t so greedy and could drink in moderation, he would have had enough in him to pass up Montresor’s offer and go home safely. Fortunato’s greed for wine and higher position were the main causes of his
demise. Three traits of greed, pride, and gullibility led Fortunato to be an easy target. If he would’ve taken simple precautions and maybe changed his ways for a bit, he would’ve been safe. He led himself to his own demise. His own traits and some bad habits were not playing to his benefit. Once again I will say there were two sides of this but Fortunato’s was the main cause. Everything was up to him. To sum up, Fortunato’s negative traits outweighed the good.