The Cask of Amontillado: The Dangers of Pride
Uploaded by Admin on Nov 12, 2000
In one of Edgar Allen Poe's best-known tales of horror, "The Cask of Amontillado," he suggests that pride can be a very dangerous thing. Through the use of foreshadowing, irony, and symbolism, Poe presents the compelling drama of two men. One who will stop at nothing to get the revenge that he deems himself and his family worthy of, and another who's pride will ultimately be the catalyst for his death. Fortunato falls prey to Montressor's plans because he is so proud of his connoisseurship of wine, and it is for the sake of his own pride that Montressor takes revenge on Fortunato. In this essay, I will examine how Poe utilizes the theme of pride and many other literary techniques such as foreshadowing and irony, in order to create such a horrific and suspenseful masterpiece.
In "The Cask of Amontillado," Poe employs a sinister aspect of foreshadowing. First, when Fortunato says, "I shall not die of a cough" (1148), Montressor replies, "True-true" (1148). Instead, Montressor knows that Fortunato will perish from his vengeful scheme that consists of dehydration and starvation. Fortunato is a proud man and he does not think that his death with be due to something as petty as a cold. Rather, he believes that his life will end as a result of some courageous act and he will die a noble death. However, Montressor can only laugh at this thought because he knows Fortunato's death will be far from noble and his pride will be soon is shattered in the dark depths of the catacomb.
Another instance of foreshadowing comes with the trowel scene. At one point in their journey, Fortunato makes a movement that is a secret sign of the Masons, an exclusive, fraternity-like organization. Montressor does not recognize this hand signal, but claims that he is a "mason" (1149). When Fortunato asks for proof, Montressor shows him his trowel. The implication is that Montressor is a stonemason--that is, that he will be building things out of stones and mortar: namely Fortunato's grave.
Irony is also widely used throughout Poe's great story. In fact, even the mode of revenge in this story shows irony. Montressor avenges himself by fooling his victim into literally walking into his own grave. Fortunato pursues the "cask" which ends up being his own casket. Montressor even asks Fortunato repeatedly whether he would like to turn back. Fortunato refuses to leave the catacombs...