The Role Of Montresor In A Cask Of Amontillado

Knowledge is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. One should only use their abilities for good and not for evil. Many will use their expertise for the benefit of others, whereas some will only use it for their own self-interests. How a person chooses to use their knowledge and expertise defines who they are. When being a part of a team, each member should have a clear focus and a considerable amount of knowledge in one aspect of the subject to insure success for the entire team. To prepare for the US History state exam, my teacher created a jeopardy review game. As we split up into groups, my team and I decided to divide and conquer. I was chosen to answer all questions pertaining to important dates and events, as that
was what I was best at. Many questions were about significant events and when they happened. By the end of the game, I had answered eight questions correctly out of the nine I had attempted. At last we were tied with another team for top place. To act as a tie breaker, we were given one last question. It was about a significant event in our history. While the other team struggled, I buzzed in and won my team the game. Because we divided up the work and responsibility, and catered to each of our own expertise in the subject, we were able to answer all questions quickly and efficiently eventually leading to our success. I used my knowledge of history to win a friendly class competition, but Montresor, did not use his abilities for anything nearly as positive.
Montresor, the sinister narrator of Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, A Cask of Amontillado, was very well skilled in stone masonry, as well as knowing his old friend’s habits and weaknesses. In the beginning of the story he states, “At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitely settled-but the definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish but punish with immunity.”(61) Montresor is determined to not only get revenge on Fortunato but to escape with no consequence to himself. He devises an ingenious plan that specifically targets Fortunato’s weakness, his pride and love for rare wines. “He had a weak point-this Fortunato….He prided himself in his connoisseurship of wine.”(62) Using this knowledge to his advantage, Montresor is able trick Fortunato into following him to his nonexistent cask of Amontillado. After leading Fortunato well away from the public and into seclusion he then puts his mastery of stone masonry to use. Chaining Fortunato to a solid brick wall in the catacombs of Italy he constructs another wall to close Fortunato in; he then leaves his old friend to suffocate and starve within the tomb. Montresor uses his knowledge of Fortunato and stone masonry not only to get revenge, but to kill him. The way he utilized his expertise reveals his true character to be malevolent and unforgiving. Thus proving how a man chooses to use his mastery defines his
character. Montresor’s experience and my own differ considerably, but there are some common themes to be found. Both Montresor and I had knowledge in a specific area. My skills pertained to learning and memorizing historic dates, whereas Montresor knew about Fortunato, he knew all the right words to say to get Fortunato to fall into his trap. Another thing our stories have in common is that we both relied heavily on others, to ensure our full success. Montresor knew all the right words to say, but if Fortunato had not taken the bait, his whole plan would have fallen apart. As for me, the jeopardy game did not only consist of questions about historic events, I relied on my other team mates to answer the rest of the questions. Although my experience does not reveal much of my character, it can be said that I do trust and work well with others. Montresor on the other hand, kills an old friend over an insult that seemingly happened far in the past. Much can be said about his character from his actions. Montresor is unforgiving and cruel in the manner that he murdered Fortunato. But if anything can be said about the both of us, it is that we were both satisfied with the outcome of our actions.