ipl-logo

The Black Cat And The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe

731 Words3 Pages

No matter which short story by Edgar Allan Poe one analyzes, one common trait among all of them is apparent instantly: all of them are scary, unsettling, and at times downright horrifying. Many stories feature death, which serves as a powerful tool for the motivation of characters and the outcome of their decisions. Another element commonly met in numerous stories by Poe is the supernatural one. It is often implemented subtly to the point that the reader may start to wonder whether the narrator in the story loses his/her mind, or something beyond human that influences the flow of events. If you look at Poe's arguably most famous short stories "The Black Cat" and "The Cask of Amontillado" they appear to be quite different since the main characters …show more content…

It is the most significant event in the life of the character, when it comes to the two short stories in question. Murder seals their fate and puts them on the other side beyond the line of no return. For the main character in "The Black Cat" it is not even the murder of the wife but the murder of Pluto for no good reason. The first step to the point of no return is made when the narrator cuts out one of Pluto's eyes in rage even though the animal was the last one to avoid his wrath for the longest time. After this occasion, the character becomes engulfed in the feeling of irrationality. He loses the ability to determine cause and effect of what is happening around him due to his actions, therefore he subjects himself to complete moral insensitivity to the point that he still attempts to justify himself to the agents of law (Gargano, p.178). Murder of the innocent Pluto becomes the event from which there is no recovery. If he kills a pet whom he used to love greatly, killing his wife becomes just matter of time when he experiences yet another mood swing, yet another instance of alcohol …show more content…

Moreover, it is a murder done as a tool that he uses to protect his honor and dignity. The scariest thing about Montresor's murder is that the only mention of Fortunato's disrespect is in Montresor's own tale. There is no other evidence that Fortunato was indeed disrespectful to Montresor. He comes off as a representative of aristocracy who likes to have fun at various parties and enjoy exquisite alcoholic beverages. Yet, he does not appear to be a severely negative character who would deserve such a horrible untimely end. It is implied that Montresor is crazy and could have imagined the insult towards him. The fact that he does not explain at all the reasons for his actions indicates that he might not have wanted to come across Fortunato's reaction, who would immediately start persuading Montresor that the insult never took place. Montresor murders an innocent person in a particularly cruel way inducing as much horror and desperation within the victim before death is possible. Thankfully, the author omits how Fortunato feels in his last moments when there is either not enough air or water after his prison is

Show More
Related
583 Words | 3 Pages

Within “A Poison Tree” it states, “I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow.” This shows he hates his foe and since they proceeded with not talking about it the situation grew bigger. In the story “The Cask of Amontillado” Montresor hated Fortunato with so much of himself he “began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.” This meant after tricking him into the vault he started to conceal the exit blocking him in there for life. He never stated he had a problem with how Fortunato was treating him.

Read More
1176 Words | 5 Pages

This attitude of Montresor showcases how little remorse he feels for Fortunato. He takes pleasure in the deception, knowing Fortunato remains oblivious to his sinister motives. This showcases the little guilt Montresor feels for taking advantage of Fortunato. He feels that everything he does is justified based on the actions of Fortunato earlier. Montresor also defends his actions by emphasizing that Fortunato seems to be a fool.

Read More
882 Words | 4 Pages

As readers, we have no idea what Fortunato did to Montresor or his family name to drive him to such revenge. Poe hints at certain things, from revenge and the family crest to his arrogance of insisting that Fortunato penetrate the Montresor vault to acquire the esteemed Cask Amontillado. "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge" (1126). The only clue is that Montresor systematically closes up Fortunato in a bone chamber perhaps with others who have wronged his family in the past. However, due to the reader's not knowing his true injustice, his murder seems unjustified and maybe even cruel to some

Read More
2639 Words | 11 Pages

Montressor is very prideful of his family linage and this is where we can understand his actions as he plans and carries out the killing of Fortunato. The retaliation on behalf of his family can be a reason to why Montressor carries out the act of killing his insulter. He leads him into the crypts of his family, only to be continually insulted and questions by his “friend”. Eventually leading him to his death, which we also know as “amontillado”, but unbeknownst to Fortunato, whom believes they are on a venture to seek a famous

Read More
491 Words | 2 Pages

Montresor has wrath toward Fortunato for insulting and treating him less. Fortunato was tricked into thinking a different result would happen than his death. Montressor tried to make his own justice of the situation ‘’ At length, i will be avenged. ‘’ pg 83 Poe showing he's going to get back at Fortunato for what he did. “He did not perceive that my smile was at his demise’’

Read More
1239 Words | 5 Pages

Montresor tortures Fortunato, both physiologically and physically. Montresor clearly gives Fortunato “multiple chances to escape his fate” (Delany 34), as he gives Fortunato obvious clues to his true intensions. These include leading Fortunato into a place for the dead, telling Fortunato not to go due to his severe cough that made it “impossible to reply” (Poe 5) at times, reminding Fortunato of his family arms, mentioning Luchesi, and showing Fortunato a trowel. Montresor seems to receive morbid joy out of the fact that Fortunato is so intoxicated that, just like the foot on Montresor’s coat of arms, he is unintentionally “stepping into his own destruction” (Cervo

Read More
411 Words | 2 Pages

After chaining Fortunato to a wall he then built another brick wall right in front of him and left him there to die. Montresor is a manipulative and clever man for what he did to Fortunato. Due to the fact that Montresor is very sneaky he is able to successfully murder Fortunato. It was very easy for Montresor to murder Fortunato because he was drunk.

Read More
841 Words | 4 Pages

To explain, Montresor was insulted by Fortunato, the resolution to this conflict should have been as simple as confronting Fortunato with his hurt feelings. Instead, Montresor decides “[he] would be avenged” (Poe 543). Because of the dramatic way Montresor decides to resolve the conflict between himself and his friend, his character is shifted towards an unruly one. Montresor has no regards for those around him, he has no insight to anyone but himself. As a result of the way he chooses to resolve conflicts, he allows the conflicts to take control of his every action.

Read More
1176 Words | 5 Pages

The narrator learns that Fortunato had laughed at his proud name, Montresor, the name of an honored family of many generations. In providing rationale for his revenge , Montresor emphasizes, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge” (Poe 87). Montresor’s statement shows that he wants “revenge” because of his “thousand injuries” which lead him to protect his family's honor, increasing his rank on the social pyramid. This quote recommends that Montresor believes that Fortunato recognized what he was gambling, however insulted him in any case.

Read More
672 Words | 3 Pages

He got Fortunato drunk, (Montresor states this when he says "Drink," I said, presenting him the wine”), then lured him into the catacombs to where he was going to trap him, leaving him there to starve. In conclusion, Montresor should be sentenced to death because he committed a severe crime that hurt a family and friends. There is no other ruly way to punish him rather than killing him. He should receive capital punishment and he should not be allowed to live, because then there is no for sure way to tell if he will murder another person or

Read More
491 Words | 2 Pages

Montresor never actually told the reader what the insult was, but we as the reader can tell that it wasn’t a big insult, because Fortunato doesn’t act aggressively towards Montresor, so this shows that this wasn’t a big, or and intentional insult. “It must be understood, that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will.” This shows just how careful Montresor and how he can manipulate a person into thinking that he is still Fortunato’s friend and that he isn’t planning to murder him. Another example of Montresor being dangerous is when he is making the wall, Montresor waits until Fortunato stops struggling so he can listen to him in agony. “The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labours and sat down upon the bones.”

Read More
237 Words | 1 Pages

Montresor is a grudge holder. In the beginning, Montresor, explains why he is angry with Fortunato, but didn’t come into detail of what he did to him. Evidently, Fortunato injured and insulted Montresor, who says that he has endured peacefully as Fortunato repeatedly offended him thousands of time. Fifty year ago, Fortunato use to deny what Montresor would say about, who he was or what he had done, as if it was untrue. Montresor would argue back and forth with him explaining that it was true.

Read More
1009 Words | 5 Pages

Compare/Contrast paragraph Edgar Allan Poe’s stories “The Black Cat” and “The Tell-Tale Heart” have similarities and differences. Some of the similarities are in the way the story was told and the narrators’ mindset. As a beginning, the stories have lots of common things in the way they were told. They are both written in first-person point of view and they both start from the prison. For example the main character in “The Black Cat” said “My immediate purpose is to place before the world, plainly, succinctly, and without comment, a series of mere household events.

Read More
597 Words | 3 Pages

In this essay I will explain how Montresor’s execution of Fortunato was carried out like an expert. I will list examples of how Montresor manipulated Fortunato, and how he enjoys his revenge. In this story Montresor, the murderer, used reverse psychology, and utilized cunning precondition to fulfill his scheme. He also used clever paronomasia to deceive Fortunato. Montresor first manipulated Fortunato when he met him at the carnival.

Read More
323 Words | 2 Pages

Montresor told Fortunato that he is a “rich, respected, admired, beloved” (86) man. He does not actually think that. When he says he “must not only punish” (83) Fortunato, but he must “punish [him] with impunity” (83), which he does. The first step in Montresor's plan is to get Fortunato to go in the catacombs. He says to Fortunato, “Come, we will go back, your health is precious” (86).

Read More

More about The Black Cat And The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe

Related Topics

Open Document