"Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe - Perfect Short Story

Essay by elizahCollege, UndergraduateC+, January 2007

download word file, 5 pages 1.0

Downloaded 124 times

"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe is a horrific tale of how a man, named Montresor, has managed to murder his friend, Fortunato. Montresor immediately claimed that Fortunato has wronged him a thousand times. He could not stand no more thus he vowed revenge upon Fortunato, whom he has never let know of his hatred. One evening, during a carnival season, Montresor set his mad plan to kill Fortunato. Knowing that Fortunato prided himself to be connoisseur of wine, Montresor flattered him by asking his opinion on a cask of amontillado, which Montresor bought. He teased intoxicated Fortunato with the amontillado, making Fortunato determined to examine the wine. Montresor then led Fortunato deep into the vaults in his house, where he said the amontillado was placed. On their journey to the vault, Fortunato was too drunk to realize that there was no such amontillado. They continued to descend deeper into the vaults where numerous catacombs of Montresor's deceased relatives were found.

Montresor then finally led Fortunato into a small crypt or niche at one of the catacombs, and walled up its entrance with bricks, trapping Fortunato inside. Unfortunately, it was too late for Fortunato to realize he was being murdered.

The story's plot follows the classic pattern. The exposition of the story occurs when Montresor says he wants to take revenge on Fortunato. He also intends to go unpunished for this act. Montresor informs the readers he is going to use Fortunato's pride to lure him to his evil plan. At this point, it is easily determined that the conflict is man versus man. The conflict is largely internal, because Montresor has hatred that Fortunato is unaware of. Rising action occurs as they start their journey to vaults of amontillado. Poe hooks his readers by narration of...