Comparing The Tell Tale Heart And The Cask Of Amontillado

“The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies, but from those you trust the most,” Aldrich Ames says. In ''The Cask of Amontillado'' by Edgar Allan Poe, the narrator, Montresor, decides to seek revenge on Fortunato, a dear friend who has insulted and betrayed him. Montresor finds him at a carnival in order to lure him into the catacombs of his home. Montrsor propounds going back to his house once Fortunato’s coughs become paroxysmal, to which Fortunato declines. Montesor then guides Fortunato further into the catacombs before chaining him to a wall and burying him alive, betraying his friend. Moreover, in “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe, the narrator attempts to get away with murdering his caretaker, an
The police, who were called by concerned neighbors, ask him a series of questions before he finally goes mad due to the hallucinated sound of the old man's heartbeat under the floorboards and confesses his crime. Betrayal, in both stories, causes characters to go down a road of punishment and revenge. In “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe, the stories show us that betrayal can lead one down a path of punishment and revenge. “The Cask of Amontillado” uses irony to show this, while “The Tell-Tale Heart” uses suspense. Betrayal can lead one down a path of punishment and revenge. This theme is displayed many times throughout each
Moreover, Poe uses the literary element of irony to ensure readers can understand the theme. This is shown in multiple parts of the story “The Cask of Amontillado”, such as when the text states, “Once more let me implore you to return. No. Is it a sham? Then I must positively leave you. But I must first render you all the little attentions in my power.” (Poe, 72) This moment showcases a sort of irony as, while Montresor is attempting to kill him, he is acting akin to sarcasm as he does not truly wish to help Fortunato in any way like he says. He, instead, intends to kill him slowly and painfully through starvation and thirst. This is quite ironic as he attempted to help and save him from his sickness only moments prior. This proves how Fortunato’s betrayal did not go unpunished, nor ignored by Montresor, who yearned for revenge. Poe continues to portray punitiveness and betrayal by stating, “No answer