The Cask of Amontillado

2 Pages 547 Words

A Premeditated Revenge
In Edgar Allen Poe’s “ The Cask of Amontillado”, Montresor seeks revenge on Fortunato. Montresor had premeditated to murder Fortunato in his vault. There are three obvious reasons why his plan of revenge worked which consist of Fortunato’s friendship with Montresor, Fortunato’s pride on his connoisseurship in wine, and also Fortunato’s drunken state when Montresor came to him for help.
The first reason his plan of revenge worked was Fortunato’s friendship with Montresor. From the tone of the story, one could conclude that the two men had been friends for countless years and Montresor had tolerated Fortunato until Fortunato insulted Montresor. For example, Poe’s first sentence states, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventures upon insult I vowed revenge” (173). Although Montresor had been upset by the insult, he did not reveal it to Fortunato and pretended to remain friends. On numerous occasions, Montresor referred to Fortunato as “my friend”. Montresor also alludes to the fact the Fortunato’s health is a concern and tries to stop Fortunato from going to the vaults, knowing the Fortunato would still go reguardless of his health. About his horrific cough, Fortunato even replies, “It is nothing” (174). This proves that Fortunato would sacrifice his health for Montresor thinking there was a friendship.
The next reason that Montresor was successful was because Fortunato prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. Fortunato perceived himself as the most excellent and always seemed willing to taste wine to see if it had a splendid quality. Montresor again continued with his charade and said,” As you are engaged, I am on my way Luchesi. If anyone has a critical turn it is he. He will tell me-“ (174). Fortunato interrupted him and alleged,”Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado for Sherry”(174). Fortunato did not want anyone to think that the...