English Literature

There are many stories and poems written by Edgar Allen Poe, but the Cask of Amontillado is a vicious, cold-blooded story that uses symbolism and irony to tell the tale.  The basic plot of the story is revenge, and while the reader does not know what the exact offense occurred from the words of author within the very first sentence of the story.  He sets the storys theme of revenge saying, The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.  Hence even from the beginning the author is quick to state the entire plot is revenge against Fortunato.

From the very beginning the symbolism shows itself and throughout every scene it continues.  The story takes place in Italy during carnival.  It is a time of celebration, and yet for the author it is the perfect time for revenge, which could also be seen as his own personal celebration of the destruction of the person who has offended him.  He searches for his victim and finds him costumed as a jester.  Fortunato, unfortunately, does not see the world around him in big scenes, but only the moment and at the moment he is easily swayed.  Jesters make fun of the world around them and are often the ones who say things that no one else can say, however, Fortunatos jester is more of an idiot or drunkard.

The author, now named Montresor is revealed to have come from a large noble family just as Fortunato.  However, Montresor slyly gains the trust of his friend to follow him to the vaults where he keeps his wine in the depths of the earth below.  The pretense of the journey to the vaults is based on a pretend bottle of Amontillado.  Montresor asks Fortunato to come and taste it to make sure it is really Amontillado, but then says that it is to damp. Fortunato, drunk as he is, wants to continue on in hopes of another drink.

As they travel deeper into the vaults and catacombs, Fortunato asks Montresor about his familys coat of arms.  One would think fortunate would get the hint at this point that things are amiss, but he does not.  Montresor explains that the coat of arms consists of a huge human foot dor, in a field of azure the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel.  Montresor is telling Fortuna in a very symbolic way that the Montresors destroy those people who injure them.  This is another moment where Poe reinforces the fact that this is the moment of revenge.

Once at the alcove, it takes only a few seconds to secure it meaning that as soon as they arrive at the alcove, he chains Fortunato to the wall.  Only now does the act of revenge prove cold-hearted, for here it is learned that Fortunato will be closed up in the wall to die of asphyxiation or starvation or both.  He will be alive when the last of the stones is plaster in place and will die alone in a black pit. Fortunato does not think this is really happening, but as the first level of stone is place, Fortunato seems to sober up and realize that he is dead.  He laughs and cries and tries to talk his way out of it, but in the end Montresor wins and is revenged for the offense.

Never is the offence disclosed.  For the reader does not know if the revenge is excessive for the offence.  One can only assume that the offence was so great that the revenge was to an acceptable degree of justice.  Montresor never thinks twice about his actions, and in the end it is not known if Fortunato even knows why the events are happening.  From the description of him at the beginning, one could assume that he would have never noticed the slight he gave to Montresor which makes this act even more heinous and cold-blooded.  But with all of Poes characters there are reasons and the reasons may not be explained completely, but things, justices occur and are often not excessive in their degree.