Research Paper On The Cask Of Amontillado

Hannah-Joy Simms, Freeport, Bahamas
Student Number: 52396473
Literature: LA01A01
Assignment Number: 0242A03S

Edgar Allan Poe, an American poet, and writer, has fabricated hundreds of stories and poems, each of which are literary masterpieces warped with horror, mystery, and suspense. One of these, which is also one of his most well-known pieces, is the 1846 short story “The Cask of Amontillado”. This short story recounts the twisted terror of the comradery of two men and how one of them was determined to exact his wrongs/ to seek revenge. However, like any story, although it may not be displayed, this diabolical tale possesses two sides. For years, many literary experts have analyzed the story’s protagonist, Montresor, and studied his perspective
“But when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge.” By reading the first few lines of this story, one begins to believe that Fortunato’s fate is justifiable. Told from Montresor’s point of view, the reader is given the impression that Fortunato has insulted him beyond measure and that his, although somewhat extreme method of punishment, is well deserved… is it? Throughout the story, however, it does not take the reader long to become cognizant of Montresor’s unreliability, and his propensity to exaggerate and have animosity towards others. The crafty tongue of Montresor could be apprising the story in the way he desires to. This description of the story also adds to Montresor’s unreliability. Not only is Montresor ambiguous to what Fortunato did to anger him, other than the metaphorical “straw that broke the camel’s back” being an “insult” towards him, no other information is given of Fortunato’s wrong-doings. These are important details that are left out of the story as a result of Montresor’s perspective. If these details were included, we would not only better know what kind of a person Fortunato is, but we would also know if Montresor’s actions toward him are
Being aware of his strong, virtuoso spirit towards his connoisseurship in wine, Montresor utilizes this fondness against him. He approaches Fortunato and tells him that he’s obtained “a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts.” He also adds that if Fortunato is preoccupied that Luchesi, a man whom Fortunato regarded a rival, would be able to decipher it for him. Evidently slighted, Fortunato becomes defensive and states that “Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry.” Anxious and zealous to judge Montresor’s wine and to really deem it as the Amontillado, Fortunato persists that he and Montresor travel to Montresor’s vaults. Montresor’s steps to his plan are calculated immaculately and are evident as he and Fortunato are greeted to an empty home. His servants, according to adroit steps he had taken previous to his and Fortunato’s encounter, have fled. Montresor knew the significance of their absence, but his unsuspecting victim, although surprised initially, dismissed it as the insanity of the carnival season. They travel through Montresor’s vaults and during their jaunt while viewing the expansive crypts of the Montresors’, Fortunato asks him of his family’s coat of arms and their motto. “A huge human foot d’or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are embedded in the heel.” The motto: “nemo me impune lacessit;