The mask of amontillado. Edgar Allan Poe 2022-11-07

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The Mask of Amontillado is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1846. The story follows the narrator, who lures his victim, Fortunato, into the catacombs beneath his home on the pretext of tasting a rare wine called Amontillado. However, the narrator's true intention is to punish Fortunato for an unspecified insult by entombing him alive within the catacombs.

The story is narrated by the perpetrator of the crime, who remains unnamed throughout the tale. The narrator is described as being proud and vengeful, as he seeks to exact retribution on Fortunato for an insult that he has received. The narrator's pride is evident in the way he speaks to Fortunato, addressing him with condescension and mocking his ignorance about the wine.

Fortunato, on the other hand, is portrayed as a connoisseur of fine wines and is initially drawn to the prospect of tasting the rare Amontillado. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Fortunato is not as knowledgeable about wine as he claims to be. This is evident in the way he responds to the narrator's baiting and in the way he becomes increasingly drunk as they journey deeper into the catacombs.

As the two men make their way through the catacombs, the narrator reveals his true intention to entomb Fortunato alive. Despite Fortunato's pleading and protests, the narrator remains resolute in his plan, displaying a callous disregard for his victim's life.

The story ultimately ends with the narrator entombing Fortunato within a niche, sealing him behind a wall of bricks and mortar. As the narrator finishes his gruesome task, he reveals that he had taken precautions to ensure that Fortunato's cries for help would not be heard, and that his body would never be discovered.

The Mask of Amontillado is a chilling tale that explores the depths of human cruelty and the consequences of seeking revenge. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the perils of being blinded by a desire for revenge. The story also serves as a commentary on the human tendency to indulge in our vices, as Fortunato's love for fine wine ultimately leads to his demise.

The Cask of Amontillado: Symbolism & Imagery

the mask of amontillado

It was notthe cry of a drunken man. Montresor tells us that his servants are away from the house for the night, so they have the house to themselves. It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labours and sat down upon the bones. He raised it to his lips with a leer. The Role of the Imagination The imagination as a powerful tool in enhancing horror and terror.

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Poe's Stories The Cask of Amontillado Summary & Analysis

the mask of amontillado

In this passage, we learn that Fortunato's obsession with wine allows Montresor the opportunity to take advantage of it. THE THOUSAND INJURIES of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. Montresor says he most certainly is a mason and shows him a trowel, which is like a small, somewhat-flattened shovel. They are encrusted with nitre. The wall was now nearly upon a level with my breast.

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Terror and Horror in Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado”

the mask of amontillado

He has arranged the whole thing. He leaned upon it heavily. Poe may have been inspired to write the story by his own real-life desire for revenge against contemporary literary rivals. Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. Studies in Short Fiction.

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The Cask of Amontillado : Edgar Allan Poe : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

the mask of amontillado

I looked at him in surprise. The carnival also distracts the attention of any bystanders who might otherwise notice Monstresor leading Fortunato to his palazzo. But now there came from out the niche a low laugh that erected the hairs upon my head. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. I looked at him in surprise. I reapproached the wall; I replied to the yells of him who clamoured.

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The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe

the mask of amontillado

Keep reading to learn about Edgar Allan Poe's short story ''The Cask of Amontillado'' with the following lesson transcript. He was too much astounded to resist. In this one, a possible theme is this: be careful who you trust. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo—he! I reapproached the wall; I replied to the yells of him who clamoured. Fortunato is a wine connoisseur and the victim.


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The Cask of Amontillado

the mask of amontillado

I perceive you have an engagement. Three sides of this interior crypt were still ornamented in this manner. There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time. These examples make his work stand out, be memorable, and elicit a desired effect. There is no logic for this punishment.

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The Cask of Amontillado Summary

the mask of amontillado

It hangs like moss upon the vaults. Poor Fortunato is so drunk that he is confused as Montresor chains him to the area. A moment more and I had fettered him to the granite. Once more let me implore you to return. Though certainly not impoverished, Montresor seems far less wealthy than Fortunato and may even struggle to make ends meet.

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Edgar Allan Poe

the mask of amontillado

The cold is merely nothing. He has a plan that begins as soon as he encounters Fortunato at the carnival. Within the wall thus exposed by the displacing of the bones, we perceived a still interior crypt or recess, in depth about four feet, in width three, in height six or seven. Three sides of this interior crypt were still ornamented in this manner. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian MILLIONAIRES. Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it. Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.

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The Cask of Amontillado

the mask of amontillado

Its termination the feeble light did not enable us to see. I hastened to make an end of my labour. Fortunato's trusting nature led to his murder by Montresor. Some context is provided, including Montresor's observation that his family once was great but no longer so , and Fortunato's belittling remarks about Montresor's exclusion from There is also evidence that Montresor is almost as clueless about his motive for revenge as his victim. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that gave utterance to a threat. Then I must positively leave you.

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The Cask of Amontillado

the mask of amontillado

Part of what makes Poe's story so seamless is his use of irony. Horror, on the other hand, is the moment of confrontation when the intangible; the feared spirit, or villain, becomes an undeniable truth. . He paused and nodded to me familiarly, while his bells jingled. In niche, and finding an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered.

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