Montresor Character Traits: Edgar Allan Poe’s Protagonist

Edgar Allan Poe's Complex Narratives

As a renowned author, editor, and critic of the nineteenth century, Edgar Allan Poe and the rich complexity of his works laid an extensive foundation for the world of literature to build on. The eeriness and darkness centered on his pieces attracted many readers as he became a forerunner of suspenseful writing. As he let his vivid details and bold diction set up the plots, his works soon became an advocate for mystery. Ultimately, it was up to the reader and their perspective to put the pieces together and make sense of his stories.

In his classic story of betrayal and vengeance, The Cask of Amontillado developed to represent this idea sufficiently. Set in the heart of the carnival season in Italy, the gothic fiction analyses the narrative journey of Montresor in getting his revenge on Fortunato. Because Montresor never explicitly specified clear motives behind his actions, Poe fostered a narrative where the main character was capable of defining their own identity. Ultimately, through Montresor's recollection of past experiences, deceitful cleverness, and unforgiving personality, we are able to generate a deeper understanding of his character identity in relation to the overarching image of revenge within the story.

Montresor Character Traits: Influenced by the Past

From the very start of the story, it is evident that Montresor is triggered by the past involvements he has had with Fortunato. However, it is not clear as to why just yet. We know that through Montresor's fervent tone, he is locked in on retaliation. The audience is essentially able to grasp his insulted attitude from the start. In fact, in the opening lines, Poe illustrates this when Montresor unambiguously says, "A thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge." As Montresor evidentially tried to internally cope with his frustrations, as shown through this quote, he could no longer hold it in. As this mindset ultimately sets the stage for the rest of the actions outlined in the plot, the story could essentially begin. From that moment on, Montresor lived with the mood that "A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. And is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong". As perceived through these words of Poe, Montresor is determined to make Fortunato feel the same betrayal that he has carried with himself. This focus of mind, in turn, was conveyed into his identity. With this zealous desire and determination to avenge his past relationship, the audience can begin to put Montresor's identity together piece by piece.

Montresor's Deceitful Cleverness

As Montresor's character and mindset began to unravel with the recollection of his past experiences with Fortunato, his deceitfulness soon rose to be another factor in the development of his identity. Evidentially as previously discussed with the passion in his voice, Fortunato was not going to get away with the unidentified "thousand injuries" that had such a profound influence on Montresor . To get his revenge, however, Montresor understood that it would take more of an organized effort to, like stated within the text, "… not only punish but punish Fortunato with impunity". Through these words, Poe made it clear that Montresor was all in for making Fortunato suffer. However, this all had to start with catching Fortunato at the right time. Montresor was clever in his approach. He was aware that "[Fortunato] prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine". Whether this derived from their past experiences or not, he used Fortunato's egotistical pride to his benefit and planned his devious attack accordingly. This pride that Fortunato encompassed allowed Montresor to trick him into following him into his wine vault under the premise that he wasn't the finest wine taster around. As Montresor continued to manipulate his victim by abusing his personal pride, his vengeful plan further progressed. Furthermore, as the plot evolves, it is aware that Fortunato is completely unaware of his fate. As Poe used this aspect of obliviousness to represent the value of deceit in Montresor's plan, it is solidified in the end when his plan comes together as he traps Fortunato and ruthlessly leaves him to die. Ultimately, with Montresor using his tricks as a compound of accomplishing his mission, it is made clear that he is empowered through his identity of deceit, as it settles into the main theme of revenge in the story.

The Merciless Nature of Montresor

Just as Montresor is cunning and deceitful in his words, he is just as much a merciless character in the grand scheme of his actions. He shows no remorse for Fortunato, and it works to further define his character identity. As he continues to build the wall around his victim, Poe includes that he hesitates but then quickly states that it was indeed only for a brief moment. Montresor says, "I placed my hand upon the solid fabric of the catacombs and felt satisfied." Ultimately, this translates to Montresor finding comfort and fulfillment in his villainous actions. As his plot is accomplished with no response from Fortunato, Poe uses this as a chance to further elaborate on this trait of his identity of pitilessness. Montresor says, "I heard only a soft, low sound, a half-cry of fear. My heart grew sick; it must have been the cold." He shows no shame and is essentially cynical as he states that it must be the cold to make him feel sick and not the murder he just committed. He is fully immersed in this idea of revenge, and because of so, he is blinded by his heartlessness. Although Montresor may never recognize the extent of his actions and the darkness of his character to the reader of the story, as shown through these final interactions of the plot, he still turns out to be a senseless individual who has no consideration for others.

Following the end of the story, Poe still never makes it clear as to what Fortunato did to Montresor. With that being said, one may ask how so much can be said about Montresor's identity when his motives are not even clear. Essentially, we are able to conclude from the reading that no matter what the case at hand may have been, to begin with, Montresor is a deranged character that needs to be reassured and heard for him to feel understood in the world. This is why he continued to tell his story in the first place so many years later. By reminiscing on the past, Montresor formulates his decision to retaliate, which ultimately sets him up to define who he is as a character within the story. This decision to not let go of the past allows Poe to develop a story empowering Montresor through his traits of deceit, cleverness, and mercilessness. As stated earlier, there was no question that Montresor's mind was fixed on getting his revenge. As this settled to be the principal theme of the story, Montresor's identity served to display how near and dear the idea was to the nature of his character. Through his own wicked actions, he is reassured and satisfied, which helps him find his identity as a whole. In the long run, as this rendition of Poe's gothic writing developed and unfolded, it is evident that so did the character identity of Montresor.

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