Perfect Revenge

Dr. Bunce

English 1123/18

01/18/05

" Perfect Revenge"

In "The Cask of Amontillado," Edgar Allan Poe reveals a murder that falls in place so precise and allows no mistake within the act. It shows how a person can get away with such a crime as murder and not be detected by the victim or a witness. Montresor wanted this revenge so bad that risk was not on his mind as he says in the first paragraph, "At length I will be avenged; this was a point definitely settled--but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk" (Poe 1). A perfect murder is only perfect if done at a perfect time, with a perfect persuasion, and at a perfect place.

The carnival that was taking place in the down town area was the greatest help to Montresor's success for his crime. He used it to fool Fortunato into his own dreary grave. This carnival was a traditional time for joy and social emancipation. It also was a tradition to dress in costume which made it difficult to identify a certain person. Montressor used this to his advantage to do Fortunato real harm as he too was dressed in costume. Like most parties, there is a large amount of drinking involved and like most people at the carnival, Fortunato was very much intoxicated. Montressor knew that when they came in contact that night Fortunato would be in a rare form. "He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much" (Poe 1). With Fortunato being so

Martin 2

drunk, he is easier to distract and Montressor is more likely to get him away from the carnival and down into the vault.

Montresor knew that Fortunato would be easily convinced to leave the carnival for the right reason and that was Amontillado.

He had a weak point--this Fortunato--although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and the opportunity--to practice imposture upon the Britsh and the Australian millionaires. In painting and germmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack--but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. In his respect I did not differ from him materially: I was skillful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could. (Poe 1)

So Montresor says, "But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado" (Poe 1). He knew that a pipe of Amontillado was rare to come by and he really did want a taste. Montresor knew Fortunato would be interested but he made it out to him that