The Cask of Amontillado
The cask of Amontillado is a short horror narrative written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1846. This story revolves around two characters Montresor and Fortunato, whose destiny lies in the theme of murder and revenge. Edgar uses the first narrative style to describe the incidences and the events in the story. An unknown city in Italy acts as the setting for the tale. The cask of Amontillado commences when Montresor states that a friend by the name Fortunato has insulted him and injured him repetitively. In the rest of the story, Edgar Poe explains how Montresor spends his time finding a suitable revenge plan for Fortunato. He is however careful that nobody else should learn of his intentions, not even his target Fortunato. Montresor narrates how he lures Fortunato to his trap during a celebration. Montresor tells Fortunato that he has wine, but he is uncertain whether it is Amontillado and Fortunato should help him confirm the actual brand of the wine (Edgar Allan Poe Museum).
Intriguing Proposition
The suggestion that the reteller makes is quite intriguing for Fortunato, since he believes that he is quite a competent connoisseur. The proposal is so captivating that Fortunato cannot suspect his friend's evil intentions towards him. Montresor leads Fortunato deep into the vaults occasionally giving him drinks to ensure that he is drunk enough to be conscious of the vents happening around him. When they reach a crypt and Montresor tells Fortunato that the Amontillado is inside, and locks him in chains as soon as he steps inside the catacomb. The narrators then start sealing the entrance using a mortar and building stone imprisoning Fortunato behind the walls in the crypt (Edgar Allan Poe Museum).
Literary Devices
Edgar employs an array of literary devices to make his narrative quite intriguing and also build a sense of suspense at the end of the tale. Poe first uses irony throughout the entire narrative with the aim of captivating the more reader, create suspense, and maintain the attention. When Montresor leads Fortunato through the vaults to the Amnatillad wine, he continuously uses the word friend referring to Fortunato; this statement is in contrary to the plans he has for his friend. At some point through their walk in the vault, Fortunato experiences health problems, and Montressor suggests that they should head back. However, he does not mean what he says as he does not want fortunate to go back before fulfilling his plans. Fortunato also states that a cough cannot kill him as an answer to Montresor. Montresor admits that it is true quite aware of the plans he has to revenge on his friend. Fortunato's name also registers irony when compared to the events that unfold in his life. His name means fortunate, and the events that happen in his life are quite unfortunate for him.
Imagery and Symbolism
Imagery refers to the use of symbolism, metaphors, and figurative language to embody ideas, objects, notions, and facts to create vivid representations (Clark). This account uses imagery to that shows the reader the contrast of the events and the revenge plots. Fortunato in the carnival dresses in a colored costume that resembles that of the court fool (Edgar Allan Poe Museum). Conversely, he gets fooled by Montresor leading to his death. The story is also set in a carnival, a place where individuals find happiness, social interactions, and fun. Concurrently the events that occur on this night during the carnival are not parallel at all. Montresor murders Fortunato in this same night that people are out there enjoying themselves.
Another literary device in the cask of Amontillado is symbolism. Fist, the crest that Montresor owns has an image of a serpent that bites the heel of the person that steps on the creature (Edgar Allan Poe Museum). The image on the crest symbolizes the relationship that exists between Montresor and Fortunato. First, Fortunato insults Montresor which is similar to a person stepping on a snake. Second Montresor murders Fortunato which is similar to a snake biting the individual that stepped on it. A snake's bite is harmful one though a person steps on it they suffer more damage. This illustration is similar to the happenings in Fortunato's life; he insults Montresor and the action that his friend tales is far much worse than his insults. The mottos engraved on the crest reads 'Nemo me impunelaccessit' Edgar Allan Poe Museum which means that those who insult him will pay (Edgar Allan Poe Museum). The statement 'Nemo me impunelaccessit' summarizes the life of Fortunato. He insists Montresor and pays for his mistake with his life.
First Person Narration
Edgar Poe also utilizes the first narration technique in his story (Abdullah, 9). Most of the narratives that use first-person narration are quite challenging regarding comprehension and reliability. A reader only gets the narration from Montresor's point of view, and at the end of the narration, he states that for fifty years no one has disturbed the catacomb (Edgar Allan Poe Museum). In this story, Edgar Poe manages to incorporate Montresor as a reliable and unreliable narrator at the same time. The unreliability of Montresor's narrations occurs in many instances in the story. The reader does not also know the person that Montresor is telling the story. The lack of a listener becomes quite hard to ascertain if it is a real story, an imagination or that the narrator remembers something from the past. He also seems to enjoy the fact that he is going to murder his friend. He does not seem to be bothered by the fact that he is burying his friend alive. As the story begins, Montresor states that Fortunato insulted him. However, he does not explain how he was insulted which makes it hard to determine if Fortunato deserved the punishment. Montresor is also a reliable narrator in this tale by Edgar. First, he gives an accurate account of the events that led to his decision and revenge plot. The author uses the first-person narration to ensure that the reader develops a personal closeness to the characters in the story. The technique guarantees believability as the reader believes that they are receiving firsthand account of the events. A reader also understands the narrative from a personal point of view, through experiencing the characters' emotions, motives, and the actions they take. Edgar manages to capture the interest of the reader through this method of writing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Edgar Poe uses literary devices to convey the themes of murder, revenge, betrayal, and deception. The literary devices in the story not only help the reader in comprehension but also ensures that the reader enjoys reading the story. Edgar manages to capture the unreliable nature of friendships even in the world today. The story affirms that the love and trust that two people hold in a friendship can easily turn into deep hatred by simple mistakes.
Works Cited
"The Cask of Amontillado - Poe's Works | Edgar Allan Poe Museum." Edgar Allan Poe Museum: Poe's Life, Legacy, and Works: Richmond, Virginia, www.poemuseum.org/the-cask-of-amontillado.
Abdullah, Omar Najem. A Study of Narrative Techniques in Selected Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway and Edgar Allan Poe. Diss. Middle East University, 2016.
Clark, Andrea. "A Short Guide to Imagery, Symbolism, and Figurative Language." Austin Community College District | Start Here. Get There, www.austincc.edu/andreac/imagery.
