The Cask of Amontillado
Thesis: The Cask of Amontillado is about revenge.V. Comparison of New Criticism and New Historicism B. Text's view contrasts with Critic's "Nemo me impune lacessit" (Poe 21), Latin meaning no one assails me with impunity. In this one line Poe characterizes The Cask of Amontillado. It is a story of the perfect revenge and why it is unattainable. The main character, Montresor, executes a plan, which he hopes will "punish [Fortunato, the wrongdoer,] with impunity" (18). The short story discloses that the act of revenge is not successful if "retribution overtakes its redresser" and if "the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong" (18). This story revolves around those requirements. The idea of revenge has played a major role in history and even today influences our cul
It is understood that here Montresor is using foreshadowing with irony to help gull his victim. From this viewpoint we must discern that Montresor did not succeed in his perfect revenge. (24)I believe that Fortunato has finally realized his doom and what caused it, by not answering Montresor's taunts Fortunato has defeated him. The name Fortunato is Italian and means one who is fortunate. Through the biographies on Poe and from Silverman, it is learned that John Allan is a Scotsman who is very wealthy and respected by many. Therefore Montresor could be gloating about his perfect revenge and his lack of detail about the end could be his trying to hide the fact that he did not succeed. We cannot blame him for that and he should not blame himself, because there is no such thing as perfection it is an unreachable goal. These facts about John Allan mesh with the character of Fortunato very well. Montresor is recalling a dark secret, which has been hidden for half a century, and is confessing his crime to an unknown, silent listener. Montresor calls out:"Fortunato!"No answer. It is inferred that he may be confessing his sin to the church, but since he believes that he has achieved his goal he does not seem to repent or show remorse therefore bringing about this final irony. This suggest that Montresor realizes in his subconscious that he has not succeeded in his perfect revenge, but in his conscious he still tries to hold on to it as being flawless. Throughout the descent to Fortunato's tomb, Montresor inquires about his health stating, "how long have you had that cough!" "We will go back; your health is precious" (20). " Montresor's quest for revenge can be understood by all, for who has not at one time felt the want and need to justify a wrong set against them.
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