Edgar Allen Poe writes “Cask of Amontillado”, and in this short story, Poe reveals the dark side of humiliation, revenge. The theme that Poe went with was that revenge can consume a man and turn him mad. In this story, Montresor has a method to his madness at getting back at Fortunato, he plans to kill him and how he plans this is shown through his thoughts, conversations and finally his actions.
Montresor’s thoughts of revenge start off the story like this “When he (Fortunato) ventured upon insult. I (Montresor) vowed for revenge” (236). This is madness that Montresor has developed. Revenge for Montresor will be a slow process, but he will follow through, Poe just has not shown the reader how. “I continued, as was my won't, to smile in his …show more content…
“It was in vein that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavored to pry into the depths of the recess” (239). Death is all around Fortunato but because he is so drunk, he does not realize this is his casket. This is what the reader knows that the victim does not, what dramatic irony Poe writes. “In its surface were two iron staples/ from one of these depended a short chain, from the other a padlock. Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it. He was too much astounded to resist” (239). This is where action comes into play, he is literally showing the readers and Fortunato that Montresor is about to kill him, but no with resistance from the drunk Fortunato. Montresor seals up the wall and plays on everyone’s worst fear, to be buried alive, and that was Montresor’s revenge in action. “I soon uncovered a quantity of building-stone and mortar. With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche” (239-240). The tools to build the wall were not planned, Montresor was in good fortune to find them. Montresor thought there would have been more resistance, more of a fight, more cries, but there was not. The action was done. Fortunato was buried alive. While Fortunato was drunk, worrying about all the people at the party and if they were worried about him, Montresor got his
Montresor’s thoughts of revenge start off the story like this “When he (Fortunato) ventured upon insult. I (Montresor) vowed for revenge” (236). This is madness that Montresor has developed. Revenge for Montresor will be a slow process, but he will follow through, Poe just has not shown the reader how. “I continued, as was my won't, to smile in his …show more content…
“It was in vein that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavored to pry into the depths of the recess” (239). Death is all around Fortunato but because he is so drunk, he does not realize this is his casket. This is what the reader knows that the victim does not, what dramatic irony Poe writes. “In its surface were two iron staples/ from one of these depended a short chain, from the other a padlock. Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it. He was too much astounded to resist” (239). This is where action comes into play, he is literally showing the readers and Fortunato that Montresor is about to kill him, but no with resistance from the drunk Fortunato. Montresor seals up the wall and plays on everyone’s worst fear, to be buried alive, and that was Montresor’s revenge in action. “I soon uncovered a quantity of building-stone and mortar. With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche” (239-240). The tools to build the wall were not planned, Montresor was in good fortune to find them. Montresor thought there would have been more resistance, more of a fight, more cries, but there was not. The action was done. Fortunato was buried alive. While Fortunato was drunk, worrying about all the people at the party and if they were worried about him, Montresor got his