Do you like wine? In the short story The Cask of Amontillado written by Edgar Allen Poe the reader learns about the pride Fortunato takes in himself due to his connoisseurship in wine through direct characterization. Characterization is one of the most important literary elements. Throughout the story, the reader will learn about Fortunato and Montresor’s personalities and intentions, Poe’s use of the two forms of characterization. When Poe writes The Cask of Amontillado from the point of view of Montresor, Montresor directly states that Fortunato has insulted him and that Montresor will get his revenge. In this opening phrase, Montresor has told the audience through direct characterization that he feels anger and resentment toward Fortunato. The reader can also indirectly infer that Montresor is a man whom most people do not want to insult or upset. Later on in the introduction Fortunato’s character beings developing through direct characaterization. The reader learns Fortunato is man who should be respected and even feared. Fortunato is also a man who takes great connoisseurship in his wine, …show more content…
Montresor leads Fortunato through the vaults filled with niter. Montresor insists they should turn back and forget the Amontillado since Fortunato has a cough and can be harmed by the poisonous mold. Fortunato insists they keep going and that the cold is merely nothing. From this the reader can infer Fortunato is a determined person. From these actions the reader can also indirectly infer that Montresor is a smart minded clever guy. Montresor uses reverse psychology to lure Fortunato deeper and deeper into the vaults. Fortunato then makes a gesture referring to the masons; Fortunato tells the reader he is a member of the mason society through indirect characaterization. From this action the reader can infer Fortunato belongs to an upper class group of