How Does Fortunato Symbolize In The Cask Of Amontillado

Kate Golding
Dr. McWilliams
ENGL 110 #3
1st March 2013
Fueling Revenge
Edgar Allen Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado” is a complex story that follows the relationship between the two characters that ultimately ends with the murder of Fortunato. Poe uses imagery and the setting of the story to surprise the reader with the gruesome ending, however further analysis of the symbols in the story makes it evident the conclusion was inevitable. Poe’s use of symbolism highlights the revenge individuals will seek when they feel like they have been betrayed.
The Amontillado is a key symbol in this short story as it is the means to the manipulation and the way Montresor exacts his revenge. The narrator, Montresor, feels he has been betrayed
by Fortunato and while the audience never understands what caused his ill feelings the introduction of the story makes it clear his intentions of revenge. Fortunato is unsuspecting of Montresor’s intentions; he doesn’t realize that Montresor’s smile is at the thought of his death. Betrayal can only occur when there is an element of trust in a relationship, and just like Fortunato betrayed Montresor, he is going to use his knowledge of Fortunato's flaws against him “he had a weak point…. He prided himself on his connoisseurship of wine”(157). Poe repeatedly uses the phrase “my friend” highlighting that his revenge can only be completed if he betrays his friends trust. The use of the Amontillado in the title is engaging the reader from the beginning, highlighting the important role it has in the story. Different kinds of alcohol are used throughout the story as a device for Monsters revenge. He is attempting to keep Fortunato merry and intoxicated so not to suspect anything, and showing the audience his excessive pride would be his ultimate downfall.
When Poe chooses the carnival as the opening setting for his short story, it shows to the reader that Fortunato is going to be drunk and in a festive mood, completely unsuspecting his night will come to a gruesome end at his friends’ hand.
The setting also allows for Fortunato to be dressed in “tight fitting parti striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells”(158). The cap is referenced throughout the story and is a symbol to the audience of the narrator’s perspective of this character. The bells jingling remind the audience of a jester or a fool showing Montresor’s feelings towards Fortunato. The carnival also gives reason for Fortunato to wear a mask. The mask gives Fortunato the ability to hide his true identity because he is introduced as a merry drunk man when he has previously severely wronged Montresor. The silk material of the mask is a symbol of his wealth and the color black is associated with evil and darkness. The setting of the carnival can also be a symbol for madness, the overwhelming costumes and festivities may be a hint for the disarray of Montresor’s mind as he seeks his revenge. The lack of reasoning Montresor supplies the audience as to why he was betrayed supports his madness
also.
Even though we are never clearly explained the reason behind his seeking for revenge, it is implied Fortunato has disrespected Montresor's family. Poe could have had the murder set anywhere in the city but chooses to have it take place in the Montresor catacombs surrounded by his dead family members. It is a symbol of poetic justice that Fortunato be murdered next to the people he betrayed when he “ventured upon insult”(157). The word impunity is used in the introduction to explain to the audience why he is seeking revenge for being betrayed “I must not only punish but punish with impunity”(157), and the family motto also links to impunity. “Nemo me impune lacessit.”(159) means “no one attacks me with impunity” and the reference to the motto strengths the symbolism of the avenging disrespect to his family. The Coat of arms literally symbolizes the importance of family history but figuratively it symbolizes the events of the story. Fortunato is a snake in the grass and when he bit Montresor he betrayed him, and as a result Montresor’s gold foot is coming down on him looking for retribution. While Montresor is completing the masonry he has a moment where he second guesses his actions “For a brief moment I hesitated… of the catacombs and felt satisfied”(161) until he places his hand on the catacombs and is comfortable with his actions. This reiterates the symbolism of the catacombs as the fuel for his revenge.
The presence of skeletons is an evident symbol for death, and it is foreshadowing that Fortunato will soon join them. The skeletons are all members of the Montresor family and their presence symbolize that betraying your friends will end at your own demise but also that seeking revenge is an unhealthy pursuit. The candle is also a symbol for light and guidance so brings the audience’s attention to the negative aspects of revenge. The flambeaux literally give the characters guidance through the catacombs with the candle light fading as they get deeper and deeper inside the crypt. However it is also figuratively referring to Montresor’s questionable judgment and lack of guidance because by the end of the deed, the candle can only supply “a few feeble rays”(161). The story is fuelled by the audiences knowledge Fortunato betrayed Montresor in the past, but the symbolism makes the readers wonder why one betrayal gives reason for a second betrayal. It makes us question the extreme revenge Montresor seeks.

The character Luchesi is both a symbol and plot device for exploiting Fortunato’s pride and ultimately his betrayal by his friend. Luchesi is Fortunato’s rival in wine tasting and is mentioned whenever Montresor wants to attack his flaws and trick him into coming with him to the vault. Fortunato wants the amontillado and this in combination with the prospect of losing out to his rival is inconceivable to the drunken fool. Montresor even makes it appear it is Fortunato’s idea to go to the catacombs.
Montresor completes his revenge when he reduces him to less than human, the means of the murder are cruel and unusual but that is not enough. When he chains him to the wall he is chaining him like an animal, he strips Fortunato of his identity and pride taking his revenge to the next level, he does not only kill his body but also his soul and everything he was. Montresor also describes his cries as animal like reiterating his loss of humanity in the vault which reminds the audience of the intensity of the revenge he sought after “a succession of loud cries… from the chained form”(161). An individual’s name is also key to their personal identity and when he stops answering his own name, it shows he has been stripped of his pride and the revenge is complete. Poe’s story makes the audience consider many aspects of revenge and draw a personal conclusion on the outcome and events of the story. The symbolism is effectively used in “The Cask of Amontillado” to convey a complex theme investigating the relationship between revenge and betrayal. The betrayal of friendship and misuse of trust is prevalent in the short story and even makes the readers self-reflect after they recover from the dark conclusion.