What Is The Mood Of The Cask Of Amontillado

Ashlyn Miller

Mrs. Brandt

English Literature

February 28, 2023

Literary Analysis of “The Cask of Amontillado”

Edgar Allen Poe is often referred to as the father of the horror genre. In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, the narrator, Montresor, is wronged by Fortunato, an acquaintance who had insulted him. In revenge, Montresor deceives him by luring Fortunato into the catacombs saying he has a bottle of Amontillado for him to taste down there. Instead of tasting the valuable wine, Fortunato is murdered by Montresor and trapped at the very end of the catacombs. The mood in The Cask of Amontillado makes it a great example of Gothic literature.

Mood is successfully created as soon as the first sentence. In this sentence, Montresor

He finds Fortunato at the carnival intoxicated and dressed as a jester. The addition of these traits creates a sad mood as it is aware he has no idea what is about to happen to him. Montresor greets him saying, “‘My dear Fortunato! I am indeed glad that I have met you. I was just thinking of you. For I have been tasting my new wine. I have bought a full cask of a fine wine which they tell me is Amontillado’” (Poe). The introduction of the fancy wine, Fortunato’s known weakness, continues the dark and eerie mood. As expected, Furnato gives into Montresor lies to taste the fine wine contributing to the sad or pitiful mood again. Montresor reveals that he plotted earlier for his home to be completely empty for what we can assume is to have no witnesses. “We came finally to the bottom of the steps and stood there a moment together. The earth which formed the floor was cold and hard. We were entering the last resting place of the dead of the Montresor family” (Poe). This setting in the story also contributes much to its mood as it is very dark and creepy. Montresor lures Fortunato to the catacombs below the mansion after saying that’s where the Amontillado resided. The descriptions of this setting beneath the ground in a dark place full of bones where the dead Montresors laid creates an uneasy and creepy feeling for the

He often hacks and coughs as he goes deeper into the vaults. To prevent him from wanting to turn back, Montresor continues with the talk of the amontillado and oftens him more alcohol to intoxicate Fortunato further. Montresor manipulation of Fortunato makes the mood even darker as they make their way through the catacombs. Suspense also continues to build as they finally reach the vault which Montresor says the Amontillado was in at the very end of the deep catacombs. After entering the setting is described. “In that wall were two heavy iron rings. A short chain was hanging from one of these and a lock from the other. Before Fortunato could guess what was happening, I closed the lock and chained him tightly to the wall” (Poe). This description of the scene makes a gruesome and creepy mood. Following this, Montresor goes even further and piles a wall of stones up in front of the man creating a violent and macabre mood. A sick mood also goes along during this and we realize he is being permanently trapped there. Fortunato then says, ‘“Montresor! What are you doing!?” (Poe). Followed later by, ‘“Montresor! Ha-ha. This is a very good joke, indeed. Many times will we laugh about it — ha-ha — as we drink our wine together — ha-ha”’(Poe). The mood of pity and sadness enters the story yet again as he still yet doesn’t quite know what is happening.