"The Cask of Amontillado" and the Action of Revenge

Paper Summary:

Revenge is probably one of the ugliest actions known to man and nothing compares the kind of revenge we find in the heart of Montresor, the narrator in Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Cask of Amontillado." The paper shows that in this short story, Poe focuses on characterization, language, and technique, to express this grisly tale of revenge that leaves us just as cold as the stones in Montresor's catacombs. Revenge for Montresor is more than death; it is a long, agonizing death. The paper shows that Poe crafts Montresor in such a way that he is as evil as he is brilliant, a fact we do not like to face because he represents the worst of humanity.

From the Paper:

"Poe uses language in this story with precision and brevity. He also utilizes verbal irony with Montresor's narration. At one point when he delightfully lures Fortunato to his death, Montresor says, "I cannot be responsible" (Poe 92), but he knows full well that he is completely responsible for Fortunato's fate. We also find irony when Montresor agrees with Fortunato that he will not die of a cough. Here see how Poe uses the language of the story to shape Montresor's character and frame of mind. The narrator is crazy but he is not stupid. While Fortunato slowly loses his grip on what's going on around him, Montresor gains more control."

More papers on "The Cask of Amontillado" and the Action of Revenge:

• Analytical Essay # 50199 : "The Cask of Amontillado" and the Revenge Theme"
• Analytical Essay # 67170 : "The Cask of Amontillado" and the Senses"
• Book Review # 108975 : "The Cask of Amontillado" and Irony"

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