A short review: Cask of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe

The novel Cask of Amontillado is a masterpiece by very famous American writer Edgar Allan Poe. He was very well know for his poetry and short stories, particularly his dark and gothic[AM1]  style. The story is narrated by a character in the novel “Montresor”.

This short story is a gothic story because of it’s themes of death and horror. In the story, A character named Montresor seeks revenge against a  wealthy Fortunato, who he believes has insulted him (and of whom Montresor is very jealous). He meets Fortunato at a carnival, lures him into the catacombs[AM2]  of his home, and buries him alive.

There is no rationale for this punishment. It is a tale of fear. Here Poe shows us the horrors of absolute evil, a frequent motif, or a statement that the text seems to be making about the subject, in Dark Romantic poetry.

Historical Context

“The Cask of Amontillado” is set during the Christian festival of Carnival, a holiday celebrated primarily in Catholic communities before Lent. Carnival celebrations likely began in Rome as a Christianization of Saturnalia festivals, which spread across Catholic Europe and were later integrated into colonized nations. The event often includes special foods, alcohol consumption, and costumes and masks. Medieval Venice suspended sumptuary laws and legalized gambling during Carnival, suggesting that people used the anonymity masks and free-spirited atmosphere to cause trouble. Scholars like Mikhail Bakhtin have theorized about the social role of Carnivals and their usage in literature. Poe’s use of Carnival as a setting for “The Cask of Amontillado” adds thematically to the text, as Montresor uses the chaos of the season as an ideal cover for his crime and the costumes of Montresor and Fortunato reveal their true natures. The story’s Carnival setting thematically ties into the reversal of fortunes between the two men.

Characters

Montresor

He is a cruel and arrogant character, recounts the story of Fortunato’s death fifty years later. Despite having vivid memories, Montresor treats Fortunato’s transgression as an insult and doesn’t give it any weight. His pride in his family’s heritage and his family’s retribution is evident throughout the narrative. Montresor manipulates Fortunato’s self-esteem by suggesting he’s ill and suggesting he see another wine specialist. His meticulous planning and seemingly insignificant offence make him a terrifying character.

Montressor enjoys his murderous  actions until Fortunato stops responding. The pause suggests he may be making an excuse. The finality of his deed may have sobered Montresor, as Fortunato’s sobering up may have taken the fun out of the work. Montresor’s grudge towards Fortunato may have been sustained, and the sudden appearance of his revenge may take some of the joy out of it.

Fortunato

Fortunato, a jovial and prideful wine connoisseur, is unwittingly targeted by Montresor. Initially described as a formidable foe, Fortunato’s love of wine is interpreted as connoisseurship, suggesting frequent drunkness. His breezy demeanor suggests he may have stepped on a snake unintentionally. Despite Montresor’s suggestion of Luchesi, Fortunato refuses to back down, proving himself the superior wine expert.

Themes

The central theme of The Cask of Amontillado is revenge. The opening sentence of story shows it clearly, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge,” and then the next few paragraphs in the story elaborate on what he considers revenge, how he misleadingly took his revenge. Instead of revenge there are many more themes which counted this story in dark genre. Some of them are:

·        Revenge

“The Cask of Amontillado” is a classic revenge tale that explores the merits of revenge. Montresor, a man who has not fulfilled his own qualifications for successful revenge, appears remorseless and nonchalant about his actions. He explains his ideal revenge, which should not consume the avenger and the target should understand that their wrongs have been avenged. Despite his failures, Montresor remains proud and skillful in his manipulation of Fortunato’s weaknesses, including alcohol and pride. He concludes the story with the Latin for “may he rest in peace,” smug and pleased. The story demonstrates that revenge is a mundane duty to his family honor, with no true moral about it.

·        Irrational Pride

Story revolves around two characters, Montresor and Fortunato, who are driven by their irrational pride. Montresor’s family motto, which punishes insults, is used to justify his actions. Fortunato’s pride is also evident, as Montresor manipulates him into entering a vault, suggesting Luchesi is equally skilled. Both characters’ pride overruns reason, creating tension and driving the plot to its frightening conclusion.

·        Deception

Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe explores the theme of deception, focusing on Montresor, a nobleman seeking revenge against Fortunato. Poe uses a multifaceted deception, including a friendly facade, flattery, hidden intentions, and misdirection. The story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding readers to be vigilant and skeptical to avoid falling prey to the cunning manipulations of others.

Style and Structure

Poe’s masterful use of:

1.      Unreliable Narrator: Montresor’s biased and potentially mad perspective creates suspense and uncertainty.

2.      Irony: The contrast between the festive atmosphere of the carnival above and the dark events unfolding below adds to the sense of unease.

3.      Buildup and Tension: Poe’s gradual escalation of events creates a sense of inevitability, making the story’s conclusion both shocking and chilling.

Conclusion

Overall, “The Cask of Amontillado” is a gripping tale of revenge, deception, and the darker aspects of human nature, showcasing Poe’s mastery of psychological suspense and literary craftsmanship.

  [AM1]Gothic tales often involve circumstances of mystery and horror, a general atmosphere of gloom and doom, and elements like dungeons, ghosts, and decaying castles with secret passageways.

 [AM2]
an underground cemetery consisting of a subterranean gallery with recesses for tombs, as constructed by the ancient Romans.