Who Is Montresor In The Cask Of Amontillado
In the words of author Richelle E. Goodrich, “Vengeance is a monster of appetite, forever bloodthirsty and never filled” (Goodreads). In life, people tend to ignore the saying forgive and forget in favor of a more human alternative; revenge. Sometimes being wronged can drive people mad consequently making them do things that they would never do in their right mind. In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, the character of Montresor feels he was insulted and desires retribution, causing him to become maniacal and manipulative. Poe develops the character of Montresor by using irony, viewpoint, and character motivation to demonstrate the strong desire for vengeance. Poe’s application of dramatic and verbal irony creates Montresor’s sick
…show more content…
Throughout the entire story, Montresor provides no explanation for his need to get revenge other than, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato [he] had borne as [he] best could; but when [Fortunato] ventured upon insult, [he] vowed revenge” (Poe 58). Though the whole story is told from the viewpoint of Montresor, he never tells the reader what Fortunato did that hurt him. This could be for two reasons, the first being that it pained him too much to talk about it. But, the second and more likely solution is that the insult was far less severe than Montresor’s revenge makes it out to be. This lack of motivation helps develop the character for the reader and help them understand how volatile and dark he is. In addition to the strange desire for unjustifiable revenge Montresor does not seem to ever regret his actions except for once, “[He] began to grope with it about recess; but the thought of an instant reassured [him]” (Poe 64). Throughout the story, Montresor showed little emotion other than anger towards Fortunato, even as he is trapping and killing him. The idea that a single instant could provide a rationale for murder is insane to the average person. This illustrates Montresor as much more sinister than the average person and adds to the ominous being of his
Throughout the entire story, Montresor provides no explanation for his need to get revenge other than, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato [he] had borne as [he] best could; but when [Fortunato] ventured upon insult, [he] vowed revenge” (Poe 58). Though the whole story is told from the viewpoint of Montresor, he never tells the reader what Fortunato did that hurt him. This could be for two reasons, the first being that it pained him too much to talk about it. But, the second and more likely solution is that the insult was far less severe than Montresor’s revenge makes it out to be. This lack of motivation helps develop the character for the reader and help them understand how volatile and dark he is. In addition to the strange desire for unjustifiable revenge Montresor does not seem to ever regret his actions except for once, “[He] began to grope with it about recess; but the thought of an instant reassured [him]” (Poe 64). Throughout the story, Montresor showed little emotion other than anger towards Fortunato, even as he is trapping and killing him. The idea that a single instant could provide a rationale for murder is insane to the average person. This illustrates Montresor as much more sinister than the average person and adds to the ominous being of his