Revenge In The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe

The theme is an overall idea of what the author is trying to say in literature. The theme can be expressed through one's actions, thoughts, and conversations. “ The Cask of Amontillado is about a man named Montresor seeking vengence on Fortunato, who constantly degrades him. The theme that Edgar Allan Poe reveals in “The Cask of Amontillado” shows that revenge can become satisfying, motivating, and calculating when provoked.
First, Poe shows that revenge can become satisfying through one’s actions. Furthermore, Poe says, “ It was now midnight, and my task was drawing to a close. I had completed the eighth, ninth, and tenth tier”(240). This proves that revenge can be satisfied because the closer he became to finishing the brick wall,
Moreover, Montresor says, “I must not only punish, but punish with impunity”(236). This proves that revenge can become motivating because Montresor wants Fortunato to suffer from feeling the humiliation and pain he felt. Montresor wants to avenge his pride. He not only wants to punish Fortunato, but wants to get away with impunity. Poe utilizes this diction to show how motivating it would be to commit and get away with the crime. His thoughts are motivating him to seek revenge. Furthermore, he says, “ I continued, as was my won't, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation”(236). He continues to smile in his face while thinking about his death. He is not smiling out of friendship, so it is motivating because Fortunato is unaware of what is about to happen to him. The thought of Fortunato’s death is motivating him to take advantage of the opportunity when he has the
Furthermore, Poe says, “ He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much.”(237) He uses this occasion to take advantage of Fortunato. This demonstrates how calculating Montresor is because this will be a great way to escape from the public to go kill Fortunato. Montresor says, “But I have received a pipe of what pass for Amontillado…”(237). This conversation proves that the theme of revenge is calculated considering he knows how inquisitive Fortunato is about the Amontillado, so he uses the conversation to lure him out of the carnival, which eventually leads him into a trap. As they are on their way Montresor says, “Your cough”(238). Then Fortunato says, “It is nothing, let us go on”(238). He uses this conversation as concern to cover up his actual purpose, which is to murder him. He really does not care about the fact that Fortunato has an unpleasant cough. In the back of his mind, he knows that Fortunato will still want to go discover the Amontillado despite how he is feeling, so he manipulates the conversation by showing sympathy. Poe acknowledges this conversation to show how calculated Montresor truly became. When it comes to seeking revenge every move he makes is strategic and conniving. He knows deep down that he would never get an opportunity like this again, so he covers up all of his tracks by showing interest and