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
…show more content…
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
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