Essay, Research Paper: Prose Appreciation Critique The Cask Of Amontillado

The main theme of The Cask of Amontillado written by Edgar Allan Poe is revenge. The narrator, Montresor, wanted to seek revenge on Fortunato in an effort to support his time-honored family motto: "Nemo me impune lacessit" or "No one assails me with impunity." (No one can attack me without being punished .)
The story begins around dusk, one evening during the carnival season in an European city. The location quickly changes from the lighthearted activities associated with such a festival to the damp, dark catacombs under Montressor's palazzo which helps to establish the sinister atmosphere of the story. Although there are several characters mentioned throughout the story, the true focus stays upon Montresor, the narrator of this tale of horror, who vows revenge upon Fortunato for an insult. The climax of the story is when Montressor fore-shadow about his plan of killing Fortunato, and then the rest is just about killing Fortunato.
Since the Story is told in the first person point of view, there wasn t a lot of description about the character s mental point of view. Only for those of Montresor. The story was told in the order of how things were happening which makes it easier for the reader to understand the time frame. Imagery was used to describe the bowels of Montresor s family crypts and the action while Montresor was stacking up the tier.
Most of the sentences for describing the plot are long sentences, the rest are mostly quotes. The grammatical structure that was used in the story is mostly complex. Which allows the author to keep a more mysteric atmosphere to the story.
There are numerous examples of verbal irony (character says one thing and means something else) within Montresor's words. Montresor expresses concern about Fortunato's health, and several times he suggests that they should turn back for fear that Fortunato's cough will worsen as a result of the cold and dampness of the catacombs. The are also examples of the sound effects, of Fortunato coughing and laughing, which could give the reader a better understanding of what the narrator actually heard.
The Cask of Amontillado is a powerful story of revenge. By the end of Poe's story, Montresor has gotten his revenge against unsuspecting Fortunato, whose taste for wine has led him to his own death. Once again we are reminded of the coat of arms and the Montresor family motto. The insignia is symbolic of Montresor's evil character, who like the serpent intends to get revenge.