It is Edgar Allan Poes intense use of symbolism and irony throughout the Cask of Amontillado that establishes the short story as an indeed interesting candidate worthy of thorough analysis. The skillful use of these devices are utilized by the author to create this horrific and suspenseful masterpiece. The Cask of Amontillado is a horror short story, which revolves around the themes of revenge and pride. The plot involves two men: Montresor, the narrator, who is an Italian aristocrat seeking revenge against the second main character: Fortunato, a proud man that boasts about his conoisseurship of wines and who finally walks to his own death. Irony is a manner of expression through which words or events convey a reality different from and even opposite to appearance or expectation. The use of such device in the story provides it with humour and wit, and makes the piece more sophisticated. The sustained irony is detected through style, tone and the clear use of exaggeration of Montresor, the narrator.
From the very beginning we notice the apparition of irony in the story. The very name Fortunato would clearly imply that this is a man of good fortune, when the actual case is that he is about to suffer a mostly untimely demise: the end of his life. The setting in which the story takes place again shows an ironic element. It is during Venices Carnival that the characters meet. Carnival is supposed to be a time of celebration and happiness for everybody. However, in the tale it is a time for revenge and death. The atmosphere changes drastically when the two protagonists leave the gaiety of carnival for the gloomy and desolate catacombs beneath Montresors palazzo.
The Term Paper on Cask Of Amontillado Montresor Fortunato Revenge
Words = 2469 Thesis: The Cask of Amontillado is about revenge. I. Introduction II. Psychoanalytical Criticism A. Poe s Revenge 1. Father 2. Mother III. New Criticism A. Irony of Revenge 1. Controlled 2. Structured IV. New Historicism A. History s view of Revenge 1. Poe s Time 2. Critic s Time V. Comparison of New Criticism and New Historicism A. Text s view similar to Poe s B. Text s view ...
We learn from the narrator that when he first meets Fortunato the latter has apparently been drinking and is dressed in many colours, resembling a jester. His costume suggests that he will be the one playing the fool. On the other hand Montresor is dressed in a black-coloured cloak and has his face covered with a black mask. At this point one can mention the presence of symbols: the black mask and outfit might be a representation of Death or the devil. Such figure foreshadows the events taking place later that night in the damp catacombs. The way the narrator treats his enemy is one of the clearest examples for ironic elements.
When the characters meet, Montresor realises that Fortunato is afflicted with a severe cold, nevertheless he makes a point of him looking remarkably well. Montresor acts in the most natural and friendly way towards the man object of his revenge, and even praises his friends knowledge in the subject of wines. Also upon their meeting, Montresor begins a psychological manipulation of Fortunato. He claims that he needs his knowledge to ascertain that the wine he has purchased is indeed Amontillado. Furthermore, he acknowledges that Fortunato is engaged in another business (i.e.: the celebration of carnival), so he would go to Luchresi, who, one is made to believe, is a competitor of Fortunatos. To these words, Fortunato is forced by his pride to accompany Montresor to the vaults (where the Amontillado is kept), dissipate his doubts and also to prove his higher status than Luchresi as a connoisseur of wine.
In fact, during their way down under in the catacombs, the twisted mind of Montresor, dares to give Fortunato the chance to go back, due to the almost unbearable dampness and foulness rampant in the vaults and Fortunatos state of health. The narrator clearly knows about the stubborn nature of Fortunato, and is positive that his pride would not allow him to retreat. Thus, Fortunato continues his journey towards death by his own will. The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre. Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! ( P.571) Another memorable lines in the story are given by Montresor in response to Fortunato saying, I will not die of a cough.
The Term Paper on Cask Of Amontillado Montresor Fortunato Story
Edgar Allen Poe's, 'The Cask Of Amontillado,' is a between two enemies. It humorously portrays the foil of Fortunato, as he is led through the catacombs. Poe's humour is dark, sarcastic and very ironic, which quickly becomes a signpost of the tale. Poe sets himself apart from other authors in his works, based on how he depicts and encounters death. It accentuates the notion that at times, your ...
To what Montresor responds, True– true… And then also when the hypocritical narrator toasts to Fortunatos long life, already knowing that he was taking to effect the devilish crafted plan of revenge. Further evidence of ironic components is found with Montresor as a Mason. We anticipate this means he is a member of the distinguished group of men, yet he actually is a stonemason, someone whose job is to prepare and use stone for building. Montresor makes use of his skill as a mason as well as of the trowel he had shown his rival to build up the wall that will lock up unfortunate Frotunato inside the niche. When Fortunato is trapped behind the wall his avenger built, Montresor re-echoes and even surpasses Fortunatos yelling apparently to sympathise with the victim.
He is evidently being ironic since he is actually delighted by what he has done and only stops shrieking till Fortunato is silent. The story ends with Montresors words In pace requiescat! (May he rest in peace).
His words are unmistakably sarcastic: he has been the performer of the dreadful murder, then how could he pray for him to rest in peace? The story also contains many accounts of symbolism. They can be classified as reinforcing; that is, their meaning is not apparent to the reader. It is only after several readings that the symbols begin to be clear. The first example in the story was mentioned earlier, the fact that Montresors costume is black would suggest beforehand that he would be playing the role of an evil being.
The coat of arms of Montresors family is perhaps the best example of symbolism and foreshadowing in the whole story: A huge human foot dor, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel (p. 572) It is clear that a metaphor has been constructed. In this image the foot is symbolic of Montresor and the serpent of Fortunato. Fortunato had wronged Montresor and had offended both him and his ancestors. Although Fortunato has hurt Montresor, the coat of arms suggests that Montresor will ultimately crush him. Montresor is determined to uphold his familys motto: Nemo me impune lacessit, which is the Latin for No one can injure me with impunity. The sinister narrator seeks his vengeance in support of this principle A further manifestation of symbolism is the vaults in the end of the catacombs piled with skeletons.
The Essay on Montresor Fortunato Story Poe
In the history of literature, there have always been different themes and genres of writing. But few have been as different or unique as that of the "gothic" literature. Of all the gothic authors of history, few writing has captured the mind and plunged it into the depths of fear as that of Edgar Allen Poe. Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado," is a story that shows us how deadly being prideful can be. ...
The accumulations of human remains may be an implication of human destroyment. The absence of light and the dank murkiness that surrounds the characters are sensory images that aids for a perfect setting of horror and makes the reader capable of getting the sensation of an impending doom. Finally, the very title of the story: The cask of Amontillado, represents the imminent ruin of Fortunato: his pursue of the cask which, in the end, will be his own casket. The Cask of Amontillado is a carefully crafted short story. The originality and artistic genius of Edgar Allan Poe overflows through this grotesque tale. Every trait of irony and symbolism Poe uses contributes to a single and meaningful effect: Conveying his message in a creative and original manner, not allowing the reader to stop..
