The Cask of Amontillado Analysis

Lesley Marie Castineiras

Professor Efrem Figueredo

English 1102

2 February 2017

The Cask of Amontillado Analysis

        “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is about a man named Montresor whom is seeking revenge and to “punish with impunity” (Poe 3) towards a man named Fortunato because Fortunato insulted him. To begin with, “The Cask of Amontillado” was the last short stories by Edgar Allan Poe. It is a story consisting of themes of revenge, murder, torture, and even alcohol consumption all taking place in a seemingly endless catacomb, or underground cemetery. To truly understand the dark nature of Poe’s short stories one must look into his youth. “Born January 19, 1809, to actors David and Eliza Poe. He and his siblings became orphaned shortly after Poe’s second birthday, and were each separated and taken in by different families.” (Biography.Com "Edgar Allan Poe" 2016).

        As was previously stated, this short story consists of multiple varying themes and specifically delves deep into the specific themes of Betrayal, Alcohol Consumption, Foolishness, Confinement and Freedom, and Mortality.

To begin with, Betrayal is the driving action behind the occurrences in “The Cask of Amontillado.” Had it not been for Fortunato’s insult or betrayal against Montresor, the terrible chain of vengeance acted upon him, would not have occurred. Along with the theme of Betrayal, there is an underlying theme of Trust, as without trust there can be no betrayal. Moreover, the story deals with how far exactly one is willing to go to feel better after such betrayal; thus, the murderous tragedy that occurs from such length.

Next, the theme of Alcohol Consumption plays a major role in the production of the story due to the use of Fortunato’s addiction to wine. Which is used against him in order to cause him, Fortunato, to be inebriated and lose proper judgment, making the task of his assassination easier to be done. Furthermore, Fortunato’s endless adoration and connoisseurship of wine cost his life, due to the dire need to go down to the vaults and find if the pipe of Amontillado was, in fact, Amontillado.

In Continuation, Foolishness is one of the themes which, as well, cost Fortunato his life. For one, Fortunato is dressed as a court jester which along with aspects of his personality implies he is a fool. Moreover, Fortunato’s arrogance towards his knowledge of wine is the foolish flaw which causes Fortunato to become vulnerable towards the premeditated murder of Amontillado, and the act of Fortunato having “ventured upon insult” (Poe 3) implies, or suggests, that Fortunato knew there was risk in his actions, but foolishly ignored such risk, and further chose to insult Montresor anyway.

Subsequently, as the story progresses the contrast between Confinement and Freedom becomes extremely noticeable, as if, for one character to be free, another must die. Also, as the characters, Montresor and Fortunato, continue through the catacombs towards the pipe of Amontillado, Freedom seems less and less present as the crypts through which they walk through become smaller and smaller. In addition, Montresor’s false sense of care towards the health of Fortunato through comments such as: “we will go back; your health is precious” (Poe 5), imply that Fortunato is still free to return, but his desire for the Amontillado traps him.

Lastly, throughout the short story Mortality is everywhere. Besides the fact that the story ends in the torturous death of Fortunato, the setting takes place in the catacombs which are literally encircled by death. With regards to mortality, Montresor happens to make many side comments which imply to the awaiting death of Fortunato. ““I drink,” he said, “to the buried that repose around us.” “And I to your long life.”” (Poe 6) is an example of dramatic irony, to which Montresor’s toast to Fortunato’s “long life” lets the reader know ahead to Fortunato’s awaiting death, while Fortunato is the only one who does not get the joke. Poe’s use of dark humor through Montresor’s jokes of death, “I shall not die of a cough.” “True—true,” (Poe 6), also lead us to be aware of Fortunato’s awaiting death.

In Continuation, the story truly focuses on Fortunato and his weaknesses, almost as if his weakness are all that he is made of. Fortunato’s weaknesses are Pride and Greed, Addiction, Insensitivity, and Trust. Fortunato’s weaknesses besides being what create him are also what lead to his demise. Fortunato’s Pride and Greed cause him to continue through the catacombs towards the Amontillado because he wants to be the one to identify and have the amontillado rather than it be Luchresi, which Montresor assures him is able to identify the Amontillado if he, Fortunato, is too busy. Fortunato’s Addiction to wine leaves him vulnerable to Montresor’s attack due to already being inebriated when he first meets Montresor and yet allowing Montresor to continue to get him drunker causing him to have poor judgment when the attack occurs. Fortunato’s insensitivity which blinds him from the fact that Montresor is angered with him, and allows him the pleasure to drink Montresor’s wine without even thanking him causes the fury within Montresor to grow and Fortunato’s weakness of being too trusting along with his other weak points also lead to his demise.