The Horror in “The Cask Of Amontillado”

Edgar Allan Poe an American famous writer was born on January 19, 1809, has many famous literately works like his poem “The Raven" and his famous short story "The Fall of the House of Usher,”. Besides his, a famous horror short story ‘’The Cask of Amontillado that de-scribes the narrator (Montresor) seek to revenge from his friend (Fortunato) because he caused him many injuries. So he decided to take his revenge in the day of the carnival. by using his friend weakness point against him, wine addiction, so he took him to his family vault under the ground to taste his new type of wine (Amontillado).

Then he took his revenge by killing his friend in a very horrible and inhumanity way as he buried him alive. Many things make this story horror I will focus on the mysterious of the story, the characters, and the setting.

The story revolves around the revenge but the question now is what the reason for the revenge is? That what Allan Poe kept it mysterious in the story "The thousand injuries of Fortu-nato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge" (179).

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but without indicated the type of the injuries that leave the readers with lack of predictability. We also find through the story action that Montresor has not expected the treachery'' he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation. ” (179) which made the read-ers puzzled about the seriousness of the insult. If there was a real big problem between them or the punishment was just an exaggeration of Montresor.

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Also, the way of taking the revenge by this horrible way left us with the question is the reason for the revenge equal to the revenge? On the other side, we find Montresor speak about the fact after 50 years maybe he was on the death’s bed and he finished the story by ''In pace requiescat!''(184) which made me also puzzled about if he tells the story because he was proud of what he did or because he regretted it. The mysterious in the story left us with a lot of questions. But the most important question is does Allan Poe intended to use this mysterious reason? Maybe he wanted to tell us something about the human nature and the people exaggeration of evaluating the things and hold grudges in silly things.

Allan Poe used both Munster and Fortunato to show us some dark aspects of human nature. Firstly Munster is the narrator of the story and he is also its main Character. We listen to the story actions from his point of view that makes it unreliable for me maybe because he was very old when he tells the story for the first time, or because his characteristics that appeared in the story actions as he is a deceiver, crazy and insensitive person. Also Munster's character was puzzling to me from the beginning of the story for many reasons not only because he was seeking revenge from his friend for an unknown reason but also his attempts to defend himself, justify the cause of the killing and his trying to gain the sympathy of readers "when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge’ ‘His character also was very scary to me as he didn't fell hesitate or quilt for a second when he was committing his crime. he only wanted to take his revenge without being discovered ‘’I must not only punish but punish with impunity’’(179). Monster character shows a dark side in human nature that the human's desire for revenge. On the other hand, Fortunate rep-resents the victim who was deceived by his friend. According to the Munster description of For-tunate character, he is an Insensitive, foolish and arrogant person and Addicted to wine. Whether Fortune or Monster is a reflection of the human‘s dark side. Firstly the dark side of Monster shows the vengeful aspect of humans and to the extent; people desire revenge lead them to do inhumanity things. Secondly Fortunate represents the human’s weakness towards their delights “Come,” I said, with decision, “we will go back; your health is precious. ” (181) maybe he had a chance to survive but his d esire to get more wine lead him to die. Most of the story revolves in two places the foundations of the basement and the Carnival and their choice of intelligence from the Monster.

Firstly the carnival was a very smart choose from monster because the carnival is a popular show and celebration. it is a combination of‏ the folk celebrations and the circus. Also, the people in the carnivals wear masks or draw on their faces. Some the people also wear clown's customs as fortunate did. Therefore it is hard to distinguish the people identities. Besides the people in the carnival drunk, a lot. as monster d escribe it ‘’ It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season that I encountered my friend. ’(179)’ So the carnival gives ( Montresor) the opportunity to achieve its revenge easily without anybody's notice. Secondly The vaults the place where many types of different kinds of wine help ( Montresor) to lure his friend and drag him underground to bury him alive without being suspected to be full impunity. In the end, this story is one of the most popular revenge stories all over the world. As its writer ‘’ Allan Poe'' success in creating interesting and horror through the story actions that makes the reader excited to not only complete the story but also read it more than once to discover its pu zzles. Because it isn't like the other types of revenge stories which the writer indicate the reasons of the revenge. no in this story the writer made the reason of the revenge as a puzzle for the readers. it is hard to identify it. He also focus on choosing his story characters carefully to show the weak, naive, cunning and hypocritical in the human being through the victim and the victimizer’s character. Beside his smartness choosing of the crime place and time all this elements more horror, distinguish and valuable.

Updated: Feb 22, 2024
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The Horror in “The Cask Of Amontillado”. (2024, Feb 18). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-horror-in-the-cask-of-amontillado-essay

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