Edgar Allan Poe has written many in depth, thrilling stories throughout his life. Two of Poe’s very well known stories include “The Cask of Amontillado” (“Cask”) and “Hop-Frog”. Both stories have been electrifying readers since 1846. By the reader inspecting the two short stories, fascinating differences and similarities can be discovered. “Cask” and “Hop-Frog” are very alike between their characters, conflicts, and themes. Characters & Conflict The characters and conflicts in “Hop-Frog” and “The Cask of Amontillado” relate in various ways. Similarly, both Hop Frog, the protagonist in “Hop-Frog”, and Fortunato, the antagonist in “Cask”, assume the role of the fool during a social event. With that, Hop Frog, and Montresor, the protagonist from “Cask”, are mired in conflicts that are very much comparable. Both of the characters are insulted and the two of them carry out plans for vengeance. “The Cask of Amontillado” …show more content…
The theme occurring in the two short stories is the same, being the danger of pride. . “Hop-Frog” supports this the protagonist claims, “... a king who does not scruple to strike a defenceless girl and his seven councillors who abet him in the outrage. As for myself, I am simply Hop-Frog, the jester --- and this is my last jest” (Poe 187). Hop frog was caused to kill the king and his ministers, because his pride was wounded. Therefore, the danger of pride is the theme in hop frog. In addition Montresor traps Fortunato in the catacomb and chains him to the wall in result of his wounded pride. This shows how the theme in “Cask” is also the danger of pride. “Cask” supports this when Montresor states, “THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could ; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.” (). The themes in both short stories play an important role for what happens in the story. Obviously, the stories are more alike than different because their themes are