Characterization of Montresor and the Setting in The Cask of Amontillado
Edgar Allan Poeˇ¦s ˇ§The Cask of Amontilladoˇ¨ only has two major characters throughout the entire story. One character, Montresor, hell-bent on revenge, is the narrator of his story. Fortunato is the other major character that does not see the true side of Montresor and is caught in the trap waiting for him in the depths of the Montresor catacombs, deep below the earth. ... Telling the story from Montresors point of view intensifies the effect of moral shock and horror from the reader and possible guilt felt by Montresor. It is important to for Montresor to have his victim, Fortunato, to know what is happening to him. Also the setting and events that happen adds mystery to the when and where the story took place. ... Montresorˇ¦s calculating mind, skillfully controlled actions and unrepentant attitude are evident throughout the story. From the beginning of his revenge plot, Montresor takes care to keep his victim unaware of his intentions. ... I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolationˇ¨(Poe, 244) When the two meet during the carnival season, there is a warm greeting with excessive shaking of hands, which Montresor attributes to the fact that Fortunato had been drinking. Montresor also appears to be "happy" to see Fortunato since he is planning to murder him. Fortunatos clown or jesters costume appears to be appropriate not only for the carnival season but also for the fact that Montresor intends to make a "fool" out of him.