Edgar Allan Poe Short Story Cask of Amontillado
Edgar Allan Poe Short Story; "Cask of Amontillado"
Humans are very complicated. For many years, human beings have been trying to figure out how the body works physically and mentally. Researches led to many discoveries in the human physical body, but the human mind is still relatively mysterious. Whenever a person does not follow the society’s guidelines, he or she, often enough, is considered mentally ill. In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado”, the highly descriptive imageries demonstrate how Montresor’s preoccupation with pride can easily lead to madness. In addition, with the aid of precise information, the author demonstrates how Montresor can embody human nature and through this character suggests that every human can be driven by madness if constantly obsessing over pride.
Montresor’s maniacal actions as well as the symbolic catacombs confirm the presence of madness. Just as the story begins, Montresor “vow[s] revenge” (Poe 866) upon his friend, Fortunado, as he has only insulted him. As Montresor is convinced to take revenge upon his friend, this very first sentence shows clearly how madness overpowers him. Montresor then sacrifices the latter for the sake of his reputation, which he believes has been destroyed by Fortunado. Going to such extend as killing his own friend for a couple of offensive words is, without a doubt, a sign of madness within Montresor. Furthermore, as Fortunado approaches death, his cries and mercies are “reechoed, …aided, …surpassed…in volume and in strength” (Poe 870) by the only person that could possibly save him. Echoing Fortunado’s yells reflects Montresor’s satisfactions as well as his devilish pleasures brought during his friend’s torture. In addition, “the most recesses of the catacombs” (Poe 868) described as Montresor guides his victim to his own death by creating a false sense of security symbolize Montresor’s dark soul where deep down, madness overcomes him and causes his friend’s murder. Montresor, in Poe’s short story, is clearly a victim of his own madness which overpowers him and makes him do horrific things without being really conscious of their consequences.
By means of specific details, Montresor is linked to humanity and, therefore, represents the latter. Montresor directly says, "You, who so well know the nature of my soul…" (Poe 866), in order to open up to the reader as if he or she can understand him or personally relate to him. Therefore,...