In Edgar Allan Poe’s “A Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor is a diabolical character set on revenge for an injustice he perceives as unforgivable. While the nature of such injustice is never justly stated, it is clear Montresor takes his family motto “Nemo me impune lacessit” (Poe 16), to heart. “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (Poe 14). This final injury, although never stated, is the unraveling of Montresor and at length he would be avenged (Poe 14). Hatred and revenge are the driving factors of Montresor’s disquiet and he cannot rest until Fortunato has been dealt the punishment he believes he deserves. His cleverness, as well as his acting abilities, and his …show more content…
Nevermind the fact that Fortunato remains unaware of the wrong that he has thusly committed. Perception is reality: In his reality, the injury that he has been unfairly dealt, can only be righted with vengeance. Montresor considers himself to be the long suffering innocent party who has suffered “the thousand injuries” (Poe 14), of Fortunato. The matter then, is not only to get revenge, but to right they wrongs committed against him. Montresor is a well-layered character, filled with an unbridled hatred that drives his need for revenge. He uses his skills with deadly accuracy to achieve his ultimate goal: the destruction of Fortunato. Turning Fortunato’s own weaknesses against him, Montresor is able to lure Fortunato deep within the catacombs. He is clever and patient, biding his time until Fortunato is inebriated and away from the sights and sounds of the carnival before approaching him. Montresor is elaborate and methodical in his planning. Every detail is designed so that not only does Fortunato meet his end, but Montresor is able get away with his murder. All in all, Montresor is an enigmatic character who will go to parlous lengths to achieve his dark