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The Cask of Amontillado
The universal theme of “Nature is dark, sinister and mysterious and man is
flawed” triggers the spark that lights most gothic stories, associated with fear,
anxiety and suspense, which shape the nature of the gothic genre. In the story, “The
Cask of Amontillado”, Edgar Allen Poe adapts pervasive gothic elements, associated
with most gothic texts, in a personally unique manner. By incorporating the five
elements of indirect characterization (speech, thoughts, effect on others,
actions and looks), diction, imagery, dramatic irony, and suspense, Poe
illustrates gothic elements; psychology through characterization and
inclusion of fear and horror, in order to effectively establish the gothic feature
of his text.
Characters shape an important part of any text as they function as a vital link
between the author and readers. Character traits are one of the most prominent
tools used by an author that can hint to a character’s psychology, which establishes
the motivations that drive their actions. Through this connection (between readers
and characters) readers are able to respond to a character’s situation through
emotions of fear or sympathy. “The Cask of Amontillado” is a story based on only
two characters (Montresor and Fortunato); therefore, establishing the gothic
emotions/features of the text heavily relies on their psychologies and character
traits. In the beginning of the story, Poe emphasizes psychology through
characterization when he writes, “ He had a weak point – this Fortunato - although in
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other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his
connoisseurship in wine”. In this quote, Montresor describes Fortunato’s effect on
others, which is a direct indication of the kind of person he is. The fact that
Fortunato invokes emotions of fear and respect suggests his high socio-economic
class in his society. It is important to note however that due to the first person
perspective in which the story is written, descriptions of other characters is only
shown to the readers from Montresor’s own point of view. As a result, Montresor’s
explanation of Fortunato’s character (the way he thinks of others) is a gateway to
Montresor’s own psychology. Through this quote, Montresor seems to be insecure
himself, as aspects of power and confidence are what attract him to his enemy
(Fortunato), suggesting his own low self-esteem and lack of self-assurance. This
indirect representation of Montresor’s psychology clearly influences the plot of the
story as it immediately links to the story’s core concept of revenge. As Montresor’s
dark motivations (revenge) that are fueled by his insecurity, become more apparent
to the readers Montresor looses his credibility (as he was viewed as a victim to
Fortunato’s insults) and feelings of resentment emerge in the readers as they realize
how Montresor is fully driven by emotions and therefore can lack sensibility in his
actions. In addition, the phrase “prided himself” also suggests Fortunato’s excessive
self-confidence and high self-glorification to the extent of arrogance, due to the fact
that he is the one who prides his own self and not other people. Poe also highlights
the word “connoisseurship” that emphasizes Fortunato’s excessive passion,
knowledge and expertise in wine, which is an important aspect of his psychology, as
this obsession is what drives most of his decisions later in the story. By presenting
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this introductory image of Fortunato’s character/psychology, readers build a sense
of expectation and feelings of primitive suspense and simple curiosity take place, as
they fear that Fortunato’s arrogance and obsession can be a perfect way for
Montresor to trick him into his revengeful plan. Consequently, these reactions from
the readers, foreshadow future events in the story where their fears and
assumptions are turned into reality, making the ending much more intense and
drastically powerful.
Furthermore, Poe also brings attention to aspects of Fortunato’s appearance
to suggest his personality when he writes, “The man wore motley. He had on a tightfitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells”.
This quote reflects Fortunato’s sense of choice, which gives an insight to his
psychology. The colorful and incongruous costume of Fortunato symbolizes his
naïve, jokey and unfledged personality. The use of symbolism in the text is a very
important aspect that Poe incorporated that allows the characters to be more
relatable and understandable. It also helps the readers realize and point out
significant ideas that are better shown (through visual imagery in readers’ minds)
than detailed descriptions. As a result, aspects of gothic stock characters, such as the
arrogance of the Byronic heroes, and mischievousness of the villains, are more
effectively sent to and received by the readers. In contrast, Poe states, “…and putting
on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I
[Montresor] suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo”. Contrary to Fortunato’s
costume Montresor is wearing a “mask of black silk”. Color symbolism (black –
which is also a significant color of gothic literature) is used to symbolize darkness
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and deception and the mask object itself hints to Montresor’s hidden and
surreptitious plan for revenge that Fortunato is completely blinded by. The
contrasting symbolism, that suggests the exact opposite psychologies and
motivations, grows specific emotions in the readers towards each character. The
readers begin to empathize with Fortunato, as Montresor’s intentions become more
and more apparent, while they feel bitter and cold at the thought of Montresor’s
plans. This is because usually bright and light colors have more positive
connotations of innocence and happiness, than black, which has negative
connotations of dark emotions and hatred.
Likewise, Poe also signifies aspects of dialogue that show much of
Fortunato’s psychology. In context, Montresor had been trying to talk Fortunato out
of going to the vaults, however Fortunato replied, “ ‘Let us go, nevertheless. The cold
is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have been imposed upon. And as for Luchresi, he
cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado’”. Fortunato demonstrates his
continuous fascination with the Amontillado, his strong determination and his
unmistakable pride. All these emotions are shown through Fortunato’s tone
changes. Expressed by the punctuation (the exclamation mark), Fortunato raises his
voice when saying “Amontillado!” which indicates his excitement and thrill with
wine, and the fact that he had repeated this phrase over four times throughout the
story is a reflection of his absolute obsession. As emotions of excitement and thrill
are elevated in Fortunato, the exact opposite emotions are ignited in the readers, as
a result of dramatic irony where the readers know Montresor’s evil intentions,
which Fortunato is unaware of. The more excited Fortunato becomes the more
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suspenseful the plot is for the readers as they feel stronger emotions of fear that
Fortunato will trip into Montresor’s plan.
The inclusion of fear and horror is an essential feature to most gothic stories.
In “The Cask of Amontillado”, Poe is able to express these emotions in his readers
through description of the setting, elements of dramatic irony, and suspense. Poe
writes, “Its [the crypt] walls had been lined with human remains, piled to the vault
overhead, in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris. Three sides of this interior
crypt were still ornamented in this manner. From the fourth earth, forming at one
point a mound of some size.” In this quote imagery is used to create foul and graphic
mental pictures in the reader’s mind and evoke emotions such as fear and anxiety.
This is mainly due to the fact that the story is written in a way that makes it very
mysterious to the readers, as they know that something bad will happen however
they are not exposed to what it is. This grabs the readers’ attention, makes them
think about the text, and makes them vulnerable to Poe’s control over their
emotions. Therefore, by setting this detailed imagery as an introduction to the
unraveling of Montresor’s hidden plan, the mood and atmosphere become
foreboding and threatening, leaving the readers anxious and fearful of the events
that lay ahead (which are still a mystery to the readers).
Moreover, Poe also effectively utilizes dramatic irony when he writes, “
‘Enough’, he said; ‘the cough’s a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a
cough’ ‘True – true’, I replied; ‘and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you
unnecessarily – but you should use all proper caution…’ ”. After Poe had set a
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mysterious and suspenseful general atmosphere, he uses elements of dramatic irony
in order to play with the reader’s minds. Poe uses Fortunato’s arrogant tone when
he mentions his death in such a careless way, to reemphasize his complete blindness
to where he is being led to, making the ending all the more tragic for the readers.
Foreshadowing some of Montresor’s plan (hints of death) also creates a sense of
alarm and mixed emotions of trepidation, excitement and worry. On the other hand
Montresor says, “You should use all proper caution”, where the word “caution” is
directly targeted to the audience as they know the real reason behind this warning.
The difference of Fortunato’s understanding of Montresor’s words (he should be
cautioned to the danger of the vaults) versus the readers’ understanding (he should
be cautioned to Montresor’s evil revenging plan) is a way that Poe uses in order to
manipulate the readers’ emotions and grow nervousness and jittery feelings.
Lastly, Poe creates suspense when he writes “‘Fortunato!’ No answer. I called
again- ‘Fortunato!’ No answer still…. There came forth in return only a jingling of the
bells”. At this moment of the story the readers are finally exposed to Montresor’s
mysterious plan and therefore their emotions are at its most climatic point. As a
result, the use of suspense at this stage of the story effectively makes the final
ending all the more tragic and emotional to the readers as they wait, on edge, for
Fortunato’s final words. In this quote, Poe emphasizes the juxtaposition between
Montresor’s cries and Fortunato’s absolute silence, which is the greatest factor that
shapes the suspense element in the ending, in order to grow anxious, apprehended,
and tense readers. The repetition of ideas that hint to Fortunato’s end such as “No
answer” and “ I called again” also keep the audience’s minds spinning with
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possibilities and questions. This enables the author to grasp their attention and
leave a greater final impact, as the silence of Fortunato yet remains a mystery.
In the “Cask of Amontillado”, the use of important literary features, allow
Edgar Allen Poe to effectively explore gothic elements, psychology through
characterization and inclusion of fear and horror. As the story takes its twists and
twirls, and finally the readers are confronted with Montresor’s deceiving plan,
fueled by his internal insecurities and emotional state, there only remains one
question unanswered; is revenge really ever fulfilled or does it always remain an
internal psychological need?