The Cask of Amontillado is a story about the execution of the ultimate betrayal. The reasoning behind this being considered an ultimate betrayal is a small element that seems to be overlooked very often; the two main characters were friends. According to the societal expectations of a friend, this is often someone who is to be trusted and who trusts you in return, to put things subtly. Montresor, the narrator of the story, and Fortunato, the man in the jester costume, are actually friends. Well, as far as Fortunato is aware, the two men are of friendly nature with one another which makes this story that much more powerful. “I vowed revenge” is one of the very few thoughts mentioned in the beginning of this story, hinting toward the reader that this will not be a happy ending. But who is to expect a murder of a friend? Anyway, Montresor has his heart set on revenge, and that means he does not care what it takes to get the job done and Fortunato gets what he deserves.
While everyone is gleeful and partying at a carnival-type event, Montresor passive aggressively convinces Fortunato to keep drinking and follow him down to the catacombs. Now no one in their right mind would walk away from a party to go beneath the ground where the bones of the dead are resting. But, there was more to Fortunato’s desire to be inside of the catacombs; a pipe of Amontillado, a Spanish sherry that Foruntato seemed quite fond of. It is now that the reader is able to see the manipulative ways of Montresor.
“Amontillado!”
“I have my doubts.”
“Amontillado!”
“And I must satisfy them.”
“Amontillado!”
(729)
I found this slight bantering to have more meaning that it appears at first glance. All that is on Forunato’s mind is the Amontillado, while it is easy to see that Montresor has something completely different on his mind. I took this to mean that Montresor begins to doubt himself, to doubt if he could really go through with the actions that he planned for, but quickly reassures himself that his must satisfy his need for revenge. Not only the need for a successful revenge, but a completed murder that must be executed precisely and uninterrupted. Montresor continues to act on his feelings and lure Fortunato in the vaults, deeper and deeper. It seems that the farther the two travel past the bones of the dead, into the depths of the vaults, that Montresor’s need to commit this murder and revenge grows stronger. Montresor seems as if he is becoming impatient with the drunk babbling of Fortunato, but reminds himself of the outcome.My only question upon reaching the end of this tale was why did it take so long for Montresor to be able to see through his rage before he commit an action he obviously felt guilt for. If it had truly been revenge, Montresor would not be telling this story after fifty years had gone by. Fortunato was shackled to the wall, unable to break free, thinking that he was involved in joking foolishness but in reality, he was the joke. As the wall around Fortunato rose higher and higher, it seemed that Montresor’s need for revenge began wilting away. And as the last brick was placed, the guilt ensued for Montresor.
“For the love of God, Montresor !”
“’Yes,’ I said ‘For the love of God!’”
(731)
While everyone is gleeful and partying at a carnival-type event, Montresor passive aggressively convinces Fortunato to keep drinking and follow him down to the catacombs. Now no one in their right mind would walk away from a party to go beneath the ground where the bones of the dead are resting. But, there was more to Fortunato’s desire to be inside of the catacombs; a pipe of Amontillado, a Spanish sherry that Foruntato seemed quite fond of. It is now that the reader is able to see the manipulative ways of Montresor.
“Amontillado!”
“I have my doubts.”
“Amontillado!”
“And I must satisfy them.”
“Amontillado!”
(729)
I found this slight bantering to have more meaning that it appears at first glance. All that is on Forunato’s mind is the Amontillado, while it is easy to see that Montresor has something completely different on his mind. I took this to mean that Montresor begins to doubt himself, to doubt if he could really go through with the actions that he planned for, but quickly reassures himself that his must satisfy his need for revenge. Not only the need for a successful revenge, but a completed murder that must be executed precisely and uninterrupted. Montresor continues to act on his feelings and lure Fortunato in the vaults, deeper and deeper. It seems that the farther the two travel past the bones of the dead, into the depths of the vaults, that Montresor’s need to commit this murder and revenge grows stronger. Montresor seems as if he is becoming impatient with the drunk babbling of Fortunato, but reminds himself of the outcome.My only question upon reaching the end of this tale was why did it take so long for Montresor to be able to see through his rage before he commit an action he obviously felt guilt for. If it had truly been revenge, Montresor would not be telling this story after fifty years had gone by. Fortunato was shackled to the wall, unable to break free, thinking that he was involved in joking foolishness but in reality, he was the joke. As the wall around Fortunato rose higher and higher, it seemed that Montresor’s need for revenge began wilting away. And as the last brick was placed, the guilt ensued for Montresor.
“For the love of God, Montresor !”
“’Yes,’ I said ‘For the love of God!’”
(731)