Literary Analysis - Cask Of Amontillado
In "The Cask of Amontillado" Edgar Allan Poe takes us on a journey into the mind of what many would
perceive as a mad man. The story tells of what seems to be a horrible revenge made even more horrible by
the fact that the vengeance is being taken when no real offense had been known. This notion sets the mood
for true evil. The plot of the story is simple. Montresor takes revenge on his friend Fortunato by luring him
into the wine cellar under the family estate. There he leads Fortunato into the depths of the catacombs
where he buries him alive by walling him into a tomb in the wall. Was Montresor mad or was it
premeditated murder?
"Nemo me impune lacessit" (No one attacks me with impunity). This seems to be the theme running
through the short story. Along with the Montresor Coat of Arms; a serpent being crushed under a gold
foot and the saying "Nemo me impune lacessit". Is this the motto of a vengeful family who believes
revenge is justified or of a mad man who has heard that motto so many times, that he feels revenge is
justified at any cost? Knowing Fortunato was intoxicated from the wine and spirits of celebrating Carnival
as well as in a Jester costume he is wearing, Montresor takes advantage of Fortunato knowledge of fine
wines and entices him with a "Cask of Amontillado" (Barrel of Spanish Sherry) Montresor has just
acquired to lure Fortunato to the vaults under the family estate. This sounds like a precalculated plan for
revenge.
Montresor never states what the insult truly is, be does state "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had
borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge…" During the entire trek
through the catacombs Montresor is very careful to not arouse Fortunato's suspicions. This is a sign that
Montresor has calculated how Fortunato would meet his demise. Montresor knows that Fortunato can not
resist taking a taste of the Amontillado. As the two men proceeded further along the passages to the
catacombs, the...
Fortunato’s pride ultimately pays the price with his death at the hands of
Montressor’s sweet revenge all in the name of family honor. Fortunato’s pride in his
connoisseurship of wine blinds him into Montressor’s revenge plot. Montressor
happens to come upon Fortunato in a drunken state that only helps his scheme. In
convincing Fortunato to come with him he uses his rival in the “connoisseurship of
wine”, saying, “As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchresi.” (13) This obviously
sparks Fortunato’s interest and replies, “Luchresi cannot tell Amontillado from
Sherry.” (14). Montressor even offers many options for Fortunato to bow out of this
opportunity, but Formulator’s interest is too strong. Montressor jumps at this
opportunity.
The irony played by Montressor in asking, “how long have you had that cough?” (31)
and statements that Fortunato’s “health is precious” (35). It is very obvious that he
doesn’t care about Fortunato’s current state of health as they continue to drink all
the way down catacombs. Montressor is aware of Fortunato’s intrigue in the cask
but humbles him with a sense of caring. Such dialog as when Fortunato says, "I shall
not die of a cough" (36), Montressor replies, "True-true" (37). Montressor answers
Fortunato knowing that he will die by being buried alive. Fortunato’s pride shines
through this entire tale and he never imagines that he could be buried alive but
assumes he will die from doing something noble and courageous. Montressor’s
snicker reminds us that there is another fate in store.