Cask of Amontillado, Analysis

Edgar Allen Poe’s dark and gloomy mood lives on in his book “The Cask of Amontillado,” which is the story of a revenge seeking companion. Fortunato offended Montresor bad enough to make him crave revenge. Montresor’s persuasive and cunning way with words helps him lead Fortunato deep into the catacombs, where Montresor shackles Fortunato to the wall before sealing in him and his fate. If Montresor wasn’t so thorough in his crime or his revenge as he calls it, then it wouldn’t be possible that he was still innocent after fifty years. Being persuasive, cunning and thorough in life are extremely good characteristics because you can get things done quickly and efficiently, but Montresor uses these traits to trick Fortunato in the most cruel and heartless way.

Being that Montresor is trying to lure Fortunato into the catacombs to kill him, it would only make sense that Montresor persuade Fortunato that they are going in for a different reason. That is why he met Fortunato with the intention that he was to go down into the catacombs with him to test some Amontillado. “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day! But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts.” Since Fortunato “prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine” it was easy enough for Montresor to persuade his companion that they were going down for nothing but a little wine tasting.

Montresor cunningly took advantage of Fortunato’s pride by asking him to taste some wine for him but then saying, “As you are engaged I am on my way to Luchesi. If anyone has a critical turn, it is he…” Luchesi is apparently Fortunato’s nemesis because at this remark Fortunato informs Montresor, “Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry,” and insists that they go. Yet Montresor pretends to care for Fortunato’s well being and keeps saying that he will go to Luchesi instead, finally Montresor succeeds in provoking Fortunato enough, so that he will go down into the catacombs due to his own will. Having Fortunato make up his own mind instead of Montresor forcing him to go to taste the wine ensures that Fortunato will not have any suspicion as to why he is going. It is also for Montresor’s own good because Fortunato decides without being forced to go down into the catacombs, so this rids Montresor of any guilt. Now he can carry out his plan without