The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe . Fortunato and Montresor: Examples of Human Morality Essence
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe . Fortunato and Montresor: Examples of Human Morality Essence
Many have been the efforts of scholars and thinkers to recognize and understand what the essence of human morality is. Some philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes believes that human beings are intrinsically evil; nonetheless, others philosophers such as Augustine of Hippo state that human nature is in a certain way divine since it is a reflection of God’s creation for excellence. Nowadays, almost all scholars agree with the idea that human moral nature is mix of good and evil. This duality of moral behavior is represented in Fortunato and Montresor, the main characters of the story “The Cask of Amontillado” written by Edgar Allen Poe, which represents the essence of the moral ambivalence of all human beings.
One example of this duality is Montresor, who can be described as a patient character, but at the same time is a person full of anger. Poe begins the story expressing Montesor’s frustration and disappointment toward Fortunato due to all his injuries and insults. Montesor states in the story that “Thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could.” (Poe 218) Even though, “thousand injures” is a hyperbole, there is no question that Fortunato has been victimized by Montresor and he has “endured this pain” to the “vowed revenge.” (Poe 218) Therefore, Montresor’s persona is a mix of weakness and strengths.
Furthermore, following the story of Poe, Montresor is a liar, but also is a honest humble character able to admit others virtues. For instance, when Montresor and Fortunato encounter each other, Montresor smiles at Fornutanto and even treates him as “My dear Fortunato;” (Poe 218-219) however, Montresor was just trying to get Fortunato’s confidence and attention so, he would not suspect that Montresor’s real intention was to kill him. Montresor also lied to Fortunato about buying a cask of Amontillado (Poe 219) since at the end of the story;
Many have been the efforts of scholars and thinkers to recognize and understand what the essence of human morality is. Some philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes believes that human beings are intrinsically evil; nonetheless, others philosophers such as Augustine of Hippo state that human nature is in a certain way divine since it is a reflection of God’s creation for excellence. Nowadays, almost all scholars agree with the idea that human moral nature is mix of good and evil. This duality of moral behavior is represented in Fortunato and Montresor, the main characters of the story “The Cask of Amontillado” written by Edgar Allen Poe, which represents the essence of the moral ambivalence of all human beings.
One example of this duality is Montresor, who can be described as a patient character, but at the same time is a person full of anger. Poe begins the story expressing Montesor’s frustration and disappointment toward Fortunato due to all his injuries and insults. Montesor states in the story that “Thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could.” (Poe 218) Even though, “thousand injures” is a hyperbole, there is no question that Fortunato has been victimized by Montresor and he has “endured this pain” to the “vowed revenge.” (Poe 218) Therefore, Montresor’s persona is a mix of weakness and strengths.
Furthermore, following the story of Poe, Montresor is a liar, but also is a honest humble character able to admit others virtues. For instance, when Montresor and Fortunato encounter each other, Montresor smiles at Fornutanto and even treates him as “My dear Fortunato;” (Poe 218-219) however, Montresor was just trying to get Fortunato’s confidence and attention so, he would not suspect that Montresor’s real intention was to kill him. Montresor also lied to Fortunato about buying a cask of Amontillado (Poe 219) since at the end of the story;