The Cask of Amontillado: Character Analysis
“Men often make up in wrath what they want in reason” (William R.
Alger).This quote explains that people quickly jump to anger and that they will seldomly take the time to think a situation through in such a way as to avoid a fight and resolve the situation amicably.In the story the Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe, the main character Montresor is insulted by Fortunato and instead of resolving the issue in a nonconfrontational way, he resolved it by killing him, letting wrath get the best of him.However, before Montresor kills Fortunato he is very patient and clever, thinking about every step of the way.Montresor’s cleverness, patience, and his eagerness for revenge allow him to Fortunado kill without regret. Montresor is exceedingly clever.
Throughout the story there are examples of Montresor’s cleverness: but this quote in my opinion depicts it the best.”There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time. I had told them that I should not return until the morning, and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the house. These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance, one and all, as soon as my back was turned.” (Edgar Allan Poe).This quote shows that Montresor is clever because it shows that he will not be caught, because there is no one to see or hear what happens.
Some other examples of Montresor’s cleverness is when he makes sure that Fortunato has had too much to drink, and he also seems compassionate when really he is just acting. Besides being clever Montresor is also very patient.Instead of rushing Fortunato and making him suspicious Montresor takes his time; thinking each step through.‘”Come,” I said, with decision, “we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed.
For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchresi –“‘ (Edgar Allan Poe).Even though Montresor wants to kill Fortunato as soon as possible, he acts as though he has all the time in the world. Along with being patient and clever Montresor is also so enraged at Fortunato that he can kill him without any regret.
This next quote is found in the last paragraph in the story and can really see that Montresor is a psychopath.”There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells. My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so. I hastened to make an end of my labour. I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it up. … In pace requiescat!” (Edgar Allan Poe).
The evidence shows that Montresor can kill without regret- he says that his heart grew sick, but not because he regretted killing Fortunato, but because the catacombs were damp. In summation Montresor’s cleverness, patience, and his eagerness for revenge allow him to kill Fortunado without regret.Throughout the story there are examples that humans take insults right to the heart and don’t think before they do, and this is a prime example that a simple insult can make a person blow things out of proportion.When Montresor didn’t feel anything when he killed Fortunato, it shows that people take insults and critiques too literally, who cares what others say, you are the judge of yourself.
