How Does Edgar Allan Poe Create Horror?

He was abandoned by everyone who loved him, watched them all die, and lived a life filled with the painful memories they had left. Edgar Allan Poe was an early nineteenth century critic, editor, poet, and writer whose life was flooded with fear and pain from an early age on. Because of these experiences he has come to be known as one of the greatest horror authors in literary history. One of his stories, The Cask of Amontillado, reflects his unique writing ability of causing the reader to feel fear especially well. In this short story, Poe creates horror by entering the mind of the killer, bringing terrors that, traditionally, are never perceived. Poe first takes the perspective of the murderer by showing the chilling premeditation of the narrator and killer, Montresor. Montresor can hardly bear the rage he feels toward Fortunado, so he plots the ultimate revenge against him. Montresor decides that “The thousand injuries of Fortunado I had borne as best as I could; but when he ventured upon on

This is seen when Montresor seems to feel guilt for his murder but doesn’t have the will or regret to stop himself from finishing it. He states while considering whether to put the last brick of his wall into place that, “My heart grew sick- on account of the dampness of the catacombs (231).” Montresor clearly denies what he knows is wrong; he fails to overcome the hate he feels for Fortunado with what he knows is right. As soon as the reader begins to feel hope that Montresor will give in to his guilt and set Fortunado free, Montresor blames his sickness on the catacombs and finishes the evil deed. The crushing of the last hope for Fortunado is truly terrifying; the act could never be undone, and Fortunado would die. This terrible act, seen and executed from the prospect of the reckless killer himself, brings serious dismay to the