Not So Fortunate

Some people are evil. They respond with revenge when they are mad. Same with the crazed Montresor.

In the story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, a man who was once hurt also responded with revenge. Montresor tricked Fortunato and killed him without regret. So anyone who likes vengeance and Supreme madness should read this story because of the interesting characters, uncomfortable setting and obvious irony. The first reason why you should read “The Cask of Amontillado” is because of the interesting characters. The characters are fascinating and they show who they are through their likes.

“He had a weak point- this Fortunato- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine” (Poe 234). This shows that Fortunato is a man of a higher level. He likes wine and seemingly is an expert. Montresor uses that.

“The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (233). Montresor was patient till the end, until Fortunato really set him of and made Montresor want to do what he’s about to do- “I continued, as my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (234). The characters give you the first reason why you should read this story. The second reason why people who like madness should read this story is because of the uncomfortable setting. When Montresor and Fortunato are walking through the catacombs, the story describes the setting- “Its walls had been lined with human remains, piled to the vault overhead, in the fashion of the great catacombs in Paris” (237). This shows that the room they were walking in was a grave and thats probably very creepy to walk through.

“We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and, descending again, arrived at a deep crypt in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame” (237). The place was deep, long and confusing. The uncomfortable setting is the second reason why you should read this book. The last but not least reason why you should read “The Cask of Amontillado” is because of the obvious irony. The things happening or said in the story are mostly the opposite and it makes it a bit humorous.

“I broke and reached him a flagon of de Grave” (237). Fortunato is about to be buried alive by Montresor and he’s drinking wine named Grave. “My poor friend found it impossible to reply for many minutes” (235). Montresor is going to kill Fortunato but calls him his poor friend and he also ‘cares’ about his health- “My friend, no. It is not the engagement, but the severe cold with which I perceive you are afflicted” (235).

“My dear Fortunato…” (234).The mans name is Fortunato, but it seems like that night he wasn’t so fortunate.

So the irony is the third reason why should read the book. In “The Cask of Amontillado” the characters are fascinating and interesting and they show themselves through their likes. If you like creepiness, the setting is a bit scary and uncomfortable. The irony in this story is humorous and kind of sad. So if you like vengeance and supreme madness you should read “The Cask of Amontillado”. Poe, Allan Edgar.

(The Cask of Amontillado). Holt, Rinehart. “Expect the Unexpected.”Elements of literature. Austin, Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston :, 2000.

233-239. Print.