Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe - Essay Example

Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe Today Edgar Allen Poe is recognized as one of the most skilled 19th century writers. His stories explore macabre themes and implement expertly developed literary narratives and offbeat vocabulary. ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ represents one of Poe’s most renowned short stories both for its engaging narrative and its fantastical themes. This essay considers the plot of “The Cask of Amontillado’ in relation to what it reveals about the characters, whether it was organic to the story, and the meaning derived from the climax.

Edgar Allen Poe does not waste much time in establishing the main plot elements of ‘The Cask of Amontillado’. From the opening of the story the narrator indicates that he can no longer endure the insults of Fortunado and as a result he is seeking a sort of revenge. The narrator indicates, “I continued, as was my in to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my to smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (Poe). In these regards, from a very early point in the story, the reader becomes aware of the main intentions; however, Poe withholds the actual means that these intentions will be implemented, allowing the plot to unravel like a mystery.

In these regards, the plot is both organic, as well as implementing an element of foreshadowing or superimposition through the opening that underlines Montresor’s main motivation. As the plot advances, it reveals a number of elements about the characters. In terms of Fortunado, a number of background elements are revealed. For the plot, the main element character element that draws Fortunado into the story is his large-scale interest in Amontillado. Understanding this aspect of Fortunado’s personality allows Montresor to drawn him into the cellar, where he claims he has a rare Amontillado he needs looked at.

As for Montresor, the plot reveals he is a complex character. In addition to being vindictive, he is also demonstrated to be highly manipulative. One of the most telling instances of Montresor’s manipulative nature occurs when he even pretends to encourage Fortunado to leave the cellar; he states, “Come," I said, with decision, "we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed” (Poe). Here Montresor both plays on flattery and feigned concern as means of bringing Montresor further into the cellar.

As the plot continues to advance it ultimately reaches the macabre climax wherein Fortunado is sealed in the cellar to die. While there doesn’t seem to be any deep symbolic meaning behind this climax, it does seem to function as a powerful narrative element of surprise and horror. In conclusion, this essay has examined plot elements of Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Cask of Amontillado’. The essay considered the structure of the plot and the ways that it contributes to characterization. Finally, the essay examined the interrelation of the plot and the story’s climax, arguing that the climax greatly contributes to a sense of surprise and horror.

ReferencesPoe, Edgar Allen. ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/POE/cask.html