Murder and Revenge
The Cask of Amontillado, by Allen Poe, is a criminal’s account of a crime
committed fifty years earlier. A crime for which he was never caught but now confesses.
Edgar Allen Poe was an American writer, editor and literary critic, considered part of American Romantic Movement. Best known of his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.
The story took place in Italy in an evening of a carnival season. The main characters are Montresor, Furtunato and Luchresi. Its theme is murder and revenge.
The story is narrated by Montresor, the protagonist, who carries a grudge against Fortunato for an offense that is never explained. Montresor leads a drunken Furtunato through a series of chambers beneath his palazzo with the promise of a taste of Amontillado, a wine that Montresor has just purchased. When the two men reach the last underground chamber, Montresor chains Furtunato to the wall, builds a new wall to seal him in, and leaves him to die.
Montresor is vicious, discreet, crafty, sophisticated, hypocritical, cruel, well-educated but morbid psychologically. Furtunato is ignorant, seemingly cruel,
arrogant and sell-centered.
The Cask of Amontillado is one of Poe’s most well-known horror stories. It is
fascinating in its theme and masterful in its tightly woven symbolism and contrast. Only three names are mentioned in the work, Fortunato, Luchresi and Montresor, all three of which are suggestive of treasure. Two of these name are Italian, from which are derived the words “fortunate” and “lucretive”, while the third is of French origin. The envisioned “cask” actually draws Fortunato into the “casket”.
I can’t forget this story, because it is my first time to read English book by myself. I feel good after reading it. And I will keep reading English books by myself. I think I can get something valuable.
