The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe Pdf
Introduction
The Cask of Amontillado is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1846. It is a tale of revenge and is one of Poe's most famous and widely read stories. The story takes place in Italy and is narrated by a man named Montresor, who is seeking revenge on a fellow nobleman named Fortunato.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Montresor describing how he has been wronged by Fortunato and that he seeks revenge. Montresor creates a plan to lure Fortunato into the catacombs under his palazzo, where he has promised to show him a cask of rare Amontillado wine. Fortunato, who is known for his love of wine, eagerly accepts the invitation.
As the two men descend into the catacombs, Montresor begins to offer Fortunato more and more wine, hoping to get him drunk and disoriented. At one point, Fortunato becomes very drunk and begins to cough. Montresor expresses concern for his health, but Fortunato insists that he is fine and wants to keep going.
As they continue deeper into the catacombs, Montresor leads Fortunato through a series of winding passages and eventually leads him to a small alcove. There, he chains Fortunato to the wall and begins to seal him in using bricks and mortar, all the while taunting him and reminding him of the wrongs he has done to Montresor.
Eventually, Montresor seals up the alcove completely, leaving Fortunato to die a slow, painful death of suffocation and starvation.
Themes
The Cask of Amontillado deals with a number of themes, including revenge, deception, and the dangers of pride. Montresor is consumed with the desire for revenge and is willing to go to great lengths to achieve it. He is also extremely deceptive, luring Fortunato into the catacombs under false pretenses and pretending to be his friend even as he plots his death.
Finally, the story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride. Fortunato is a proud man, and his pride blinds him to the danger that he is in. He is so confident in his own abilities that he ignores Montresor's warnings and ultimately pays the price for his arrogance.
Analysis
The Cask of Amontillado is a masterful example of Poe's storytelling abilities. The story is carefully crafted to create a sense of tension and foreboding, and the use of unreliable narration adds an element of mystery to the story.
The story is also notable for its use of symbolism. The cask of Amontillado wine, for example, represents the lure of temptation and excess. Fortunato's jester costume represents the foolishness of pride and arrogance. And the catacombs themselves represent the darkness and danger that lurks beneath the surface of society.
Conclusion
The Cask of Amontillado is a classic tale of revenge and deception that has captivated readers for generations. With its carefully crafted plot, memorable characters, and powerful themes, it is a story that continues to resonate with readers today.