Cask Of Amontillado Theme

Themes Throughout “The Cask of Amontillado” Throughout famous author, Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” he showcases the underlying meanings through menacing and ominous tones to portray the overall themes. In “The Cask of Amontillado” Montresor is setting out to fulfill his goal of revenge on Fortunato for the many insults done unto him. Throughout Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” he depicts themes of revenge, morality, and deception. Revenge is the first and most prominent of Poe’s themes portrayed throughout the story. Montresor is tired of being insulted by Fortunato and plans to put an end to it, and to stand up for himself. Poe describes how Fortunato treats Montresor by stating, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne

Montresor betrays Fortunato by acting as a friend and pretending to lead him to a rich wine, but instead to his death. Poe describes how well Montresor deceives Fortunato by stating, “It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. I continued, as was my won't, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (236). Montresor’s whole plan for revenge lies with deceiving Fortunato into believing him and following him deep into the catacomb where he can be avenged. Throughout the story Montresor refers to Fortunato as “My friend” and when greeting him he exclaims, “My dear Fortunato you are luckily met”, he does this in order to trick Fortunato into trusting him and following him to his death (237). This portrays the theme of deception because he refers to Fortunato as a friend when he really can’t stand him and uses the wine to hook him into going down to the catacombs so that revenge can take place. To keep Fortunato going forward into the catacombs he keeps offering for him to go back trying to show that he cares, and that Luchesi could sample the wine instead. This technique of deception is showcased as Montresor explains, “’Come,” I said, with decision, “’we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible” (238). This list of compliments are all lies that Montresor has told Furtunato to get him to follow and trust him only for him to deceive him in murder. While walking through the catacombs, Montresor is getting Fortunato intoxicated from all the wine to make his revenge easier. Montresor is toasting Fortunato saying, “And I to