Appreciation of Genres of Literature

Analysis of The Cask of Amontillado

“The Cask of Amontillado” has been recognized as Edgar Allan Poe’s best short story. It is often regarded as one of the most outstanding short stories worldwide. It also perfectly encapsulates and highlights many of Poe’s literary theories about the nature of the short story: it is short, can be read in one sitting, and every sentence contributes to the overall effect. It is fully unified and while seemingly simple, it abounds in various forms of irony.

Ultimately, each line and comment contributes to the unity of effect that Poe sought to accomplish. In Poe’s story “The Cask of Amontillado”, the fundamental elements of perfect revenge are examined and it describes a tale of a successful execution of this act.

Comparisons between the United States of 1846 and “The Cask of Amontillado” can be challenging, but some possible influences are noticeable. While Poe’s biographical details are sparse in certain areas, it is known that he had a rivalry with Thomas English Dunn, a politician and author from New Jersey. According to their publishing history, shortly before “The Cask of Amontillado” was written, Dunn published a book titled “1844, or, The Power of S.F.,” which included a main character who seemed to satirically mock Poe. This character, Marmaduke Hammerhead, wrote “The Black Crow”, used phrases like “nevermore”, and was depicted as an alcoholic, a liar, and abusive. The main plot of “1844, or, The Power of the S.F.” refers to secret societies and revenge, similar to “The Cask of Amontillado,” in which Fortunato reveals he is a Freemason, one of America’s dominant secret societies, and also features the theme of revenge.

Moreover, around this time, there was a societal fear of live burial, so measures were implemented to prevent such an occurrence. Some coffins included mechanisms intended to alert individuals on the outside, in case someone was prematurely buried. For example, bells could be attached to the limbs of the “deceased” that could be rung should the person regain consciousness within the tomb. This premise is evident in how Poe utilizes Fortunato’s jester costume. In the climactic internment scene, Fortunato laughs at his predicament before falling silent, prompting Montresor to drop his torch into the chamber, subsequently hearing the ringing of bells – a sign of live burial.

Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, and died on October 7, 1849. He lived just forty years, yet during his short lifetime, he made a lasting mark for himself in American literature and also in world literature. A few facts about Poe’s life are undeniable. However, unfortunately, almost everything else about Poe’s life has been exaggerated, romanticized, distorted, or subjected to bizarre Freudian interpretations. Poe, it has been said at various times, was a manic-depressive, a drug addict, an epileptic, and an alcoholic. It has also been rumoured that he was syphilitic, that he was sterile, and that he fathered at least one illegitimate child.

Most biographers conclude that Poe died of alcoholism- officially, “congestion of the brain”. In 1996, however, cardiologist R. Michael Benitez conducted a blind clinical pathologic diagnosis of the symptoms of a patient described only as “E.P., a writer from Richmond”. He concluded that Poe died not from alcohol poisoning, but from rabies. According to Dr. Benitez, Poe had become so sensitive to alcohol in his later years that he fell ill for days after just one glass of wine. Benitez also debunks the myth that Poe died in a gutter, stating that he died at Washington College Hospital after four days of hallucinating and yelling at imaginary people.

“The Cask of Amontillado” is an account of requital, yet the reader is never advised precisely what Fortunato did to warrant such retaliation. In fact, throughout the story, the reader gradually realizes that Montresor is an unreliable narrator and that whatever insult Montresor believes Fortunato committed is imagined or exaggerated. It’s clear that Fortunato has no idea about Montresor’s anger, and this makes the story even more tragic and disturbing. The seemingly joyful jingling of the bells on top of Fortunato’s cap becomes increasingly gloomy the deeper the two descend into the tombs. At the beginning of the story, Montresor defines revenge. He says he must “punish with impunity.” He states that if the avenger is caught, or does not make the punishment known to the person who committed the wrong, the wrong goes unavenged. Considering this, he sets the trap for Fortunato. He gives Fortunato numerous opportunities to pull out, using the tricks of classic conmen by playing on Fortunato’s greed and pride. Indeed, it is Fortunato who insists they continue on to find the Amontillado, and this will undoubtedly haunt him as he is buried alive. Montresor also gives hints as to what he plans to do with Fortunato. He conveniently comes up with a cask of Amontillado during the carnival, which Fortunato can scarcely believe. He tells Fortunato, “You are a man to be missed,” and after Fortunato says he won’t die of a cough, Montresor agrees. His family motto is “No one insults me with impunity” and he is carrying a trowel. Yet Fortunato suspects nothing and is so shocked when Montresor chains him to the wall, he doesn’t even try to fight.

“The Cask of Amontillado” is loaded with situational, dramatic, and verbal irony. Examples of situational irony, when one thing is expected but the opposite happens, are plentiful. First, “cask” signifies “wine barrel,” but “casket,” also stems from the same word. So although Fortunato believes he will finally reach a cask of wine, he actually meets his casket. Next, the name “Fortunato” translates to “fortunate” in Italian, however, Fortunato is actually very unfortunate. Lastly, even though Fortunato is dressed as a jolly court jester, his festive outfit belies the horrific fate that awaits him.

Dramatic irony, when the reader or a character knows something that another character does not, is also prevalent in the story. Fortunato then tells Montresor not to worry about his health and that “the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill him. He won’t die of a cough.” Montresor then answers, “True—true.” The reader can now almost see a wicked gleam in Montresor’s eyes, for he knows precisely how Fortunato will die.

Verbal irony is the point when one thing is said, yet another is implied. For instance, when Montresor runs into Fortunato toward the start of the story, he says, “My dear Fortunato, you are fortunately met.” However, he truly means that he himself is happy to see Fortunato because he will benefit from this meeting, not Fortunato. While entering the tombs, Fortunato asks if he is a mason, meaning a Freemason, and Montresor says yes.

However, Montresor implies that he is a craftsman because he plans to bury Fortunato with stone and mortar. Later, he appears to be concerned about Fortunato’s health as they travel further into the tombs, stating, “We will go back. Your health is precious.” He has no intention of going back and isn’t concerned about Fortunato’s health. He is actually using reverse psychology to lure him further in. Finally, Montresor proposes a toast “to [Fortunato’s] long life.” However, he is toasting to his imminent death.

The contrast between freedom and imprisonment is substantial in Edgar Allan Poe’s story, “The Cask of Amontillado.” For one character to feel liberated, another must die. Most of the story takes place in an imposing and incredibly foul-smelling tomb, an underground graveyard. Dead bodies and bones are plentiful. The prospect of freedom diminishes as the characters move into smaller graves, each more revolting than the last. The confinement makes the characters appreciate the sanctity of fresh air due to the nitre, a colorless to white mineral, symbolizing the age of the area. The cold and dampness, similar to a grand cave, provide the reader with the sense of claustrophobic depth of the place. The theme is conveyed throughout the narrative, whether mentally or physically.

Betrayal drives the action in “The Cask of Amontillado.” One character’s betrayal triggers a horrifying chain of retaliation set in motion in a mass grave. Behind this vengeance and death, the story is about trust. Without trust, there can be no betrayal. The story emphasizes the lengths an individual will go to alleviate the feeling of being betrayed–and the tragedy that occurs when those measures reach the extreme.

It’s important to note that Montresor seeks revenge, not for his injuries, but for the insult. “Ventured” is also significant. It literally means “to undertake an action knowing there is risk involved.” This quote suggests that Montresor believes that Fortunato was aware of the risk, but chose to insult or betray him anyway.

Freedom becomes less and less of a possibility as the characters move through progressively smaller crypts, each more disgusting than the last. Betrayal fuels the narrative in “The Cask of Amontillado.” One character’s betrayal sets off a horrendous cycle of retribution, enacted below ground in a mass grave. Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” is a horrifying and enthralling short story about the severe consequences that result from persistent humiliation and an unforgiving heart. “The Cask of Amontillado” truly overflows with varied themes and sinister literary elements that arise from Poe’s brutal style of writing.

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