The Cask of Amontillado

Summary

The article under review is The Ironic Double in Poe's “The Cask of Amontillado” by Walter Steep. The Gothic short story called "The Cask of Amontillado" (The Cask of Amontillado, 1846) is a perfect example of art posca because there are all the elements associated with the grotesque and artistic principle of arabesque. Grotesque element will trace the derivation of the cave which dovetails the ambience of the story set in a cold cellar, used as well as a catacomb from the damp walls; we read a meaning related to the icy darkness of the abyss with its deformed and monstrous depth. So, the short story expresses a vein at the same time enigmatic and arcane and ritualistic to induce the reader to careful and painstaking exegesis in order, to fully understand the semantic importance within a hard to weave the symbolic. Indeed, it is exactly in that context, the grotesque and arabesque known as the author has developed a style designed to penetrate the mysterious atmosphere to the plot (White, pp. 550). That is, the content located in a dark basement, the story becomes, in turn, cryptic symbols and phrases with double interpretations.

White (1989) has made the argument that Montresor was acting on behalf of his family, in the tradition of the feudal lords of France and Italy (Baraban, pp.14). If his analysis is correct then one can assume that Montresor's actions are similar to the actions of a soldier and that he would feel no more compunction for the murder than would a loyal soldier engaged in a just and valid war with a feared and dangerous enemy. Indeed Montresor describes Fortunato as a man “to be respected and even feared” (Benton, pp. 19). Is Montresor then performing only his duty, or is there a more sinister side to his actions?

These contrasting reviews, while barely touching on the plethora of critical opinion over Montresor's revenge, illustrate the extent of divergence surrounding the story. Regardless of the persistent controversy, few critics dispute that “The Cask of Amontillado” ranks as one of Poe's superlative achievements. Montresor sees his justice in killing Fortunato as an act of loyalty or patriotic act to his family.

The Cask of Amontillado: Introduction

"The Cask of Amontillado" is a short story, written by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in the November 1846 issue of Godey's Lady's Book. The story set in a nameless city in an unspecified year Italian (possibly in the 18th century) and concerns with deadly revenge, taken by the narrator on a friend, whom he claims has insulted him. Like several of Poe's stories, the narrative revolves around a person-Being Buried Alive in this case, by immurement. As in "The Black Cat" and "The Tell-Tale Heart", Poe conveys the story through the murderer's perspective. In this essay, the argument of personal morality of Montresor is discussed after elaborating the text, with the help of reviewing the literary article on The Cask of Amontillado.

The Mysterious Vengeance in The Cask of ...