The Cask of Amontillado (1846) is a chilling tale about one man’s expertly plotted revenge on another who has insulted him. It is a Story of deceit, detachment and coolly premeditated murder.

Introduction: Discover the essence of Edgar Allan Poe.

The last days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life are shrouded in mystery – perhaps appropriately for Poe, the master of macabre American fiction.

We do know this though: on September 27, 1849, Poe left Richmond, Virginia to journey to his home, New York City. But he never made it to New York. Just under a week later, a then 40-year-old Poe was found in Maryland, Baltimore, in a state of delirium and extreme distress. He was disheveled, unwashed and completely unable to account for his actions since leaving Virginia.

Poe was admitted to the Washington College Hospital where, early in the morning of October 7, he died. According to the only eyewitness, the attending doctor, during his last night on earth Poe repeatedly called the name ‘Reynolds’. Reynold’s true identity has never been established.

The murky circumstances of Poe’s death stand in sharp contrast to his literary output in the last years of his life. His later stories, critics agree, distill the themes, motifs and concerns he explored over the course of his career to their purest, most concentrated form. To encounter his late story, The Cask of Amontillado, is to encounter the essence of Poe, the writer. It is claustrophobic, lurid and ultimately gruesome. Intrigued? Then let’s join our protagonists Montresor and Fortunato, deep in the catacombs below Venice…

A subterranean tale of vengeance and murder

The Cask of Amontillado is a story about revenge. We know this from its first line where the tale’s narrator, the Venetian nobleman Montresor, plainly states that he has been wronged and insulted by a certain Fortunato. Unwilling to submit to any more of Fortunato’s insults, he declares: “I vowed revenge”. As a result of this startling disclosure at the story’s opening we, the readers, are much better informed of Montresor’s true motivations than Fortunato himself is. What we don’t know is what kind of vengeance Montresor has in mind or how, exactly, he intends to pull it off. The story’s morbid pleasure lies in the gradual unfolding of Montresor’s carefully laid plans.

Montresor approaches Fortunato on the street, as dusk is beginning to fall and Carnival is in full swing. Since medieval times, the Italian city of Venice has celebrated Carnival in the days before Lent. Venetians take to the streets in costumes and distinctive masks and it’s said that, in this disguise, they sometimes forget their inhibitions.

Montresor is dressed in a black silk mask. He finds Fortunato in the center of the merrymaking, dressed in the multicolored costume of a court jester complete with cap and bells. But Montresor tempts Fortunato away from the crowd with an invitation he cannot refuse. Montresor has purchased a cask of what he believes to be fine Spanish amontillado sherry, but he can’t be sure it’s genuine. Fortunato fancies himself a connoisseur of fine wine, and very much enjoys drinking it – in fact, when Montresor meets him, he is already tipsy.

Having piqued Fortunato’s interest in the amontillado, Montresor now plays at dissuading Fortunato from coming to taste it. But Fortunato is determined to come. Montresor protests repeatedly – Fortunato is busy socializing; the damp vault where the sherry is stored will aggravate Fortunato’s health troubles. But each protestation is met with even more enthusiasm from Fortunato. Of course, this is exactly what Montresor was expecting.

Montresor leads Fortunato to his palazzo. As the two men descend into the damp vaults beneath the house where the wine is stored, it becomes clear just how precisely Montresor has prepared his revenge. He has dismissed all his servants for the night, and is confident none will return from the carnival festivities until the next morning. The two men are completely alone in the house. The conditions are perfect for Montresor to take his revenge undetected. What shape that revenge will take remains unclear.

Together, the men descend below the palazzo into a maze of cavernous tunnels that Montresor, in his narration, alternately refers to as the family vaults and the family catacombs. A catacomb is a subterranean cemetery with recesses built into the walls where corpses can be entombed. More than just a place where wine is stored, the tunnels beneath the palazzo are where generations of Montresor’s family have been buried. And while we, the reader, are still no closer to knowing what revenge Montresor intends to inflict on his companion, a throwaway line offers a possible insight into Montresor’s motives. Fortunato remarks on how extensive the vaults are, and Montresor replies – note the past tense – that the Montresors ‘were a great and numerous family’. He also mentions the family motto, nemo me impune lacessit, meaning ‘no-one attacks me with impunity.’ Perhaps, then, Fortunato has attacked Montresor’s family honor.

The two men keep walking into the vaults. As they continue, Fortunato’s sensitive lungs become aggravated by the damp surroundings and the deposits of nitre – i.e. potassium nitrate – on the walls. What’s more, Montresor keeps offering Fortunato flasks of fine wine to drink from, which he accepts enthusiastically. As they move deeper into the vaults, the drunken, coughing, wheezing Fortunato, in contrast to his name, begins to seem more and more unfortunate.

When the men have nearly reached their destination, Fortunato startles Montresor by making a distinctive hand sign. Montresor can see that Fortunato’s gesture is laden with meaning, but he doesn’t understand it. Fortunato explains that it is a gesture used between members of the secret society known as the masons. He asks if Montresor is also a mason, and Montresor responds by showing Fortunato the trowel concealed beneath his robes, as if to say that he is indeed a mason – a stonemason. Now, Fortunato is baffled – for while he laughs at what he takes to be his companion’s joke, Montresor is quite serious. Just how serious we will soon find out.

Montresor leads poor Fortunato – who is still swigging wine and cracking jokes – into a crypt where human bones hang from three of the four walls. On the fourth wall, there is a recess where Montresor says the amontillado is stored. But when Fortunato moves into the recess to grasp the amontillado, Montresor swiftly chains him to a rock. Fortunato is perplexed but not, at this stage, alarmed. Using his trowel, Montresor begins to cover the entrance to the recess with stone and mortar. It is not until Montresor has laid the first tier of masonry that Fortunato seems to understand what is happening. He begins to moan, and plead with Montresor for his life.

Too little, too late. Montresor works until midnight, laying tier upon tier of stone and entombing Fortunato inside. As he prepares to lay the very last stone, Montresor hears Fortunato cry out, ‘For the love of God, Montresor!’. Before placing the final stone, he throws a torch into the recess. The only reply is the faint ringing of the bells on Fortunato’s costume. And then, silence.

ANALYSIS

The Cask of Amontillado is pure Edgar Allan Poe. It begins with Poe’s bold choice to have the narrator effectively reveal the end of the story in its very first sentence. We know immediately that this story will see Montresor take his revenge on Fortunato. What we don’t know is what form that revenge will take. In his earlier work, The Murders at the Rue Morgue, Poe is credited with inventing the modern detective story. In a sense, The Cask of Amontillado is an anti-detective story – not a whodunnit, but a howdunnit. And the story still drips with suspense, as we try and piece together Montresor’s plan, watching as the guileless Fortunato moves unavoidably toward his gruesome fate.

The story takes up one of Poe’s most significant and macabre motifs – that of the live burial. In The Fall of the House of Usher, the protagonist Roderick Usher insists on entombing the corpse of his twin sister Madeline in the family vaults. Days later, the bloody, bruised and still-living Madeline emerges, attacking and killing Roderick before falling dead herself. And in Poe’s The Black Cat, the narrator entombs the corpse of his wife within the walls of his house. The narrator is discovered by police when a screaming starts up from behind the walls – these are the cries of a live cat that the narrator had accidentally entombed along with his dead wife.

Like many of Poe’s finest stories, The Cask of Amontillado is a painfully claustrophobic read. Apart from a brief scene in the throngs of the Venice carnival, all the action takes place underground, in the narrow and labyrinthine vaults beneath Montresor’s palazzo.

But beyond physical claustrophobia, the reader also experiences a form of psychological claustrophobia. The story is narrated in the first person by Montresor. In this way the reader has access to all of his scheming, unsavory thoughts. For the duration of the story, the reader is trapped in the mind of a man who plans and executes a cold-blooded murder not just with grim relish but with an artistic flourish, too. Interestingly, Montresor’s true motivation for seeking revenge is never revealed – in the end, we are left with the impression that this murder could just as well have been committed for pure pleasure as it could have for vengeance.

Conclusion

In The Cask of Amontillado, Montresor enacts his revenge on the unsuspecting Fortunato. It is never revealed why Montresor is seeking revenge. Suspense builds as the pair of men make their way deeper and deeper into the vaults that lie beneath Montresor’s mansion, as the reader waits to see what form Montresor’s revenge will ultimately take. On the pretext of tasting a fine wine, Fortunato is lured by Montresor into a recess in an underground crypt, where Montresor promptly chains his victim to a stone and walls him inside, slab by slab, burying him alive.

About the Author

Edgar Allan Poe

Genres

Society, Culture

Review 1

The Cask of Amontillado is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe first published in 1846. It tells the tale of a man named Montresor who seeks revenge on his friend Fortunato for an unknown slight. Montresor invites Fortunato to his wine cellar to sample a rare cask of Amontillado, a Spanish wine. Fortunato, who is a connoisseur of wine, is eager to try the wine and agrees to accompany Montresor.

Once they arrive in the catacombs beneath Montresor’s palazzo, Montresor begins to brick Fortunato up in the wall. Fortunato pleads for mercy, but Montresor ignores him and continues to brick him up. Fortunato eventually dies of suffocation, and Montresor leaves him to his fate.

The Cask of Amontillado is a dark and macabre story that explores the themes of revenge, deceit, and murder. It is a classic example of the gothic horror genre, and it has been adapted into several films and television shows.

The story is told from the first-person perspective of Montresor, and he is a unreliable narrator. He is clearly a disturbed individual, and his account of the events is full of inconsistencies. This makes it difficult for the reader to know what to believe, and it adds to the suspense and horror of the story.

The Cask of Amontillado is a well-written and suspenseful story that has been enjoyed by readers for generations. It is a classic example of the gothic horror genre, and it is sure to keep you entertained.

Here are some of the things that I liked about the story:

• The suspenseful plot: The story is full of suspense, and the reader is left wondering what will happen next.
• The unreliable narrator: The fact that Montresor is an unreliable narrator makes the story even more suspenseful, as the reader is never sure what to believe.
• The dark and macabre atmosphere: The story has a dark and macabre atmosphere that is perfect for a gothic horror story.
• The themes of revenge, deceit, and murder: The story explores the themes of revenge, deceit, and murder in a way that is both disturbing and thought-provoking.

Overall, I thought The Cask of Amontillado was a well-written and suspenseful story that I would recommend to fans of the gothic horror genre.

Review 2

Here is my brief review of the book The Cask of Amontillado: A Dark Romantic Tale of Revenge, Deceit, and Murder by Edgar Allan Poe:

The Cask of Amontillado is a short story that was first published in 1846 and is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic literature and dark romanticism. The story is narrated by Montresor, a man who seeks revenge against his friend Fortunato, whom he believes has insulted him. Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs of his palazzo, where he claims to have a rare cask of amontillado, a type of wine. However, Montresor’s true intention is to wall up Fortunato alive in a niche and leave him to die.

The story is a masterpiece of suspense, horror, and irony, as it explores the themes of revenge, deception, and murder. The story is told from Montresor’s point of view, which creates an unreliable narrator who may be exaggerating or distorting the facts. The story also uses various symbols and motifs, such as the cask of amontillado, the coat of arms, the carnival, and the masonic sign, to enhance the meaning and mood of the story. The story also employs dramatic irony, as the reader knows more than Fortunato about Montresor’s plan and motive.

The story is a classic example of Poe’s style and influence, as it showcases his mastery of language, imagery, and atmosphere. The story is also a reflection of Poe’s own life and experiences, as he was familiar with wine, masonry, and revenge. The story is also influenced by historical and literary sources, such as the French Revolution, the Italian Renaissance, and Dante’s Inferno.

The Cask of Amontillado is a book that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a dark and thrilling tale of revenge, deceit, and murder. The book is short but powerful, as it delivers a shocking and unforgettable ending that will haunt the reader for a long time.

Review 3

“The Cask of Amontillado: A Dark Romantic Tale of Revenge, Deceit, and Murder” by Edgar Allan Poe is a brilliant and chilling work epitomizing the elements of dark romanticism. Poe brilliantly crafts a story fixating on the theme of revenge with a composition of secrecy and deceit layered within.

The story is tautly paced, with Poe’s masterful command of suspense and horror sustaining one’s interest. From the onset, where protagonist Montresor declares his intention of revenge on Fortunato for an unspecified insult, the narrative immediately immerses readers into a world of disturbing intrigue. Montresor’s machinations of deception and Fortunato’s impending doom—the heart of the story—are showcased through the vivid imagery and meticulous attention to detail that characterize Poe’s body of work.

Despite the story’s brevity, Poe manages to explore the complexity of his characters profoundly. Montresor, as the narrator, allows readers insight into his mindset, effectively humanizing his malevolent intentions. The character of Fortunato, in turn, adds a layer of tragic irony, with his oblivious journey into Montresor’s catacombs heightening the sense of looming tragedy. The dynamic between these two characters embodies a fundamentally human struggle, adding depth to the macabre plot.

However, like most of Poe’s works, this short story utilizes an element of ambiguity that may not appeal to readers seeking clear-cut resolutions. The reason for Montresor’s irrepressible hatred towards Fortunato is left deliberately vague, leaving readers speculating. This ambiguity, a signature device used in Poe’s storytelling, gives room for various interpretations of overarching themes.

Also, readers may find the story’s stark portrayal of human depravity discomforting. The graphic conclusion and the chilling indifference of Montresor can be unsettling for some.

In conclusion, “The Cask of Amontillado: A Dark Romantic Tale of Revenge, Deceit, and Murder” is a classic example of the dark romantic genre with Edgar Allan Poe’s unique storytelling prowess. Its richness in thematic depth, coupled with the haunting narrative style, ensure lasting impressions. While not for the faint-hearted due to its macabre elements, it is an undeniable classic and a worthwhile read for those keen on exploring the darker side of human nature.

Review 4

Here is my brief review of the book The Cask of Amontillado: A Dark Romantic Tale of Revenge, Deceit, and Murder by Edgar Allan Poe.

The Cask of Amontillado is a classic short story by Edgar Allan Poe, one of the most influential writers of the 19th century. The story is a masterpiece of Gothic horror, suspense, and irony, as it depicts the twisted revenge of a man named Montresor against his former friend, Fortunato, who has insulted him in some unspecified way. Montresor lures Fortunato into his underground catacombs during a carnival season, under the pretext of showing him a rare wine called Amontillado. However, Montresor has a sinister plan in mind: he intends to wall up Fortunato alive in a niche and leave him to die. The story is narrated by Montresor himself, who addresses an unknown listener as he recounts his crime with cold-blooded precision and pride. The story explores themes such as the nature of revenge, the psychology of guilt, the power of deception, and the dark side of human nature.

The Cask of Amontillado is a gripping and chilling tale that showcases Poe’s skillful use of language, imagery, and symbolism. The story creates a mood of horror and suspense through the vivid description of the setting, the contrast between the festive carnival and the gloomy catacombs, the use of foreshadowing and dramatic irony, and the unreliable narration of Montresor. The story also contains many symbols that enhance its meaning and effect, such as the cask of Amontillado itself, which represents both Fortunato’s greed and Montresor’s trap; the jester’s costume that Fortunato wears, which signifies his foolishness and fate; the coat of arms and motto of Montresor’s family, which reveal his motive and character; and the nitre that covers the walls of the catacombs, which suggests decay and death. The story also raises questions about the morality and rationality of Montresor’s revenge, as well as the reliability and sanity of his narration.

The Cask of Amontillado is a short but powerful story that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. It is a brilliant example of Poe’s literary genius and his contribution to the genre of horror fiction. It is also a timeless story that explores universal themes that are relevant to any human being who has ever felt anger, resentment, or betrayal. The Cask of Amontillado is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good scare and a well-crafted story.