How far will someone take their family motto? When someone’s family motto says “No one attacks me without paying dearly,” we think someone is going to die. Indeed this is the case of the story. This story is more than just horror and suspense; it is about a successful murder and revenge. People will do anything, even go to extraordinary lengths to exact revenge like in the story, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, in which Poe creates an atmosphere of ongoing horror and tremendous tension between two characters, Montresor and Fortunato, as one plans to kill a former friend. Not only it will attract reader’s attention; this will make them go crazy wondering why would someone murder a person, who once were friends. The story begins with Montresor speaking to an unknown person about his successful revenge of Fortunato 50 years ago. “Montresor tells of the motive and the execution of the perfect crime he committed in the fictional past (50 years previously) to a silent, unidentified listener in the fictional present” (Benton). We have an idea that Montresor trusts this person if he is willing to admit that he committed murder. The narrator does not say to whom he is talking with; therefore it could be anyone from one of his friends to one of his co-workers. Not knowing whom he is talking to starts this story with a mysterious perception. Montresor admitted that Fortunato is a respected and feared man. “He had a weak point--this Fortunato—although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared” (Coleman, Day, Funk, and McMahan, 222). Defining a person who is awful is described as the reputation of Fortunato, and it’s verified by Montresor; who says that Fortunato has insulted him many times, thus making him start planning his revenge. Adding to the mystery, the narrator did not tell us exactly what Fortunato said to offend him. By just reading the beginning, the readers are wondering what Fortunato said to the narrator to finalized his fate. During the carnival season, Montresor approaches Fortunato (who is not aware of Montresor real feelings) if he could try a wine that could pass as Amontillado. Fortunato who has a fondness for wine accepted rapidly at the chance of tasting a very delicious wine. However, Montresor showed his concerned of bothering Fortunato on wasting his time. Montresor mentions that he could ask Luchesi if Fortunato is busy. Fortunato considers Luchesi a competitor and claims that this man could not tell an Amontillado from another different wine. “Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry” (Coleman, Day, Funk, and McMahan, 222). Fortunato considers himself the best wine tasting professional who can distinguish the difference in wine. Fortunato also fell straight at the narrators’ bait, and his plan is to set forward. He has had planned the meeting, and the big clue is by sending his servants away to the carnival. "To accomplish it, Montresor waits until carnival season, a time of “supreme madness,” when Fortunato, already half-drunk and costumed as a jester, is particularly vulnerable” (Mosberger). No one would suspect Montresor was part of Fortunato disappearance during the festival time. A time of happiness and disguise where everyone would be occupied to be aware of the real crime happening at the Montresor Palace. As the two men descend into the damp vaults, the narrator develops tension as Montresor draws Fortunato closer to his unavoidable fate. We realize Montresor is planning something evil and this disappearance would have no witnesses since most are either drunk or having fun at the carnival. Aggravated by the nitre on the walls, Fortunato begins to cough. Montresor pretended to be concerned for Fortunato’s health and keeps offering to take Fortunato back home, however, Fortunato
…show more content…
There is a hole in a wall where Montresor tells Fortunato that the Amontillado stored inside. As Fortunato goes inside, Montresor suddenly chains a wasted Fortunato to a stone. “When they reach a small niche in the wall, Montresor quickly manacles Fortunato and begins to seal the only escape route” (Gillespie and Naden). Montresor has so far made sure that no one has seen them together by using the disguise of their costume in his favor. He gave more wine to a tipsy Fortunato, to have his guard down and now chained Fortunato, so he will not be able to
There is a hole in a wall where Montresor tells Fortunato that the Amontillado stored inside. As Fortunato goes inside, Montresor suddenly chains a wasted Fortunato to a stone. “When they reach a small niche in the wall, Montresor quickly manacles Fortunato and begins to seal the only escape route” (Gillespie and Naden). Montresor has so far made sure that no one has seen them together by using the disguise of their costume in his favor. He gave more wine to a tipsy Fortunato, to have his guard down and now chained Fortunato, so he will not be able to