Reading Response For The Cask Of Amontillado Essay

Lyndsie Nelson
English 120
January 26, 2012
Revenge is Cruelty
The story “The Cask of Amontillado,” is a cruel story of a greedy, revenge seeking man. Montresor brings Fortunato into the catacombs to taste wine which at first reveals that Montresor is a kind fellow looking to provide some leisure activity to another man. The story soon shows that Montresor is indeed a cruel man with a dark soul seeking some sort of revenge.
Montresor lures Fortunato into his bloody game by offering Fortunato to join the wine tasting in the catacombs. Fortunato is oblivious to the fact that Montresor is going to kill him. The revenge that Montresor is seeking is hidden in the story and allows for thought about who he is trying to get back at and for what reason he is doing so. Taking Montresor’s revenge out on Fortunato shows that Montresor is an evil individual. His black mask of silk is a symbol of his dark soul.
Fortunato shouldn’t have been killed and his plea of savior cried out innocence in his character. “For the love of God, Montresor!” (80) were a few of the last words he said and he shouldn’t have had to say them. Montresor’s lack of guilt when Fortunato cried for help, showed again the cruel soul of Montresor.

Outline:
Thesis: Montresor is indeed a cruel man with a dark soul seeking some sort of revenge.
Supporting Point 1: lures Fortunato into tasting wine
Textual Reference/Evidence: Fortunato follows Montresor throughout the catacomb
Explanation/Reasoning: It is the path to death from the cruel Montresor
Supporting Point 2: burns him to death
Textual Reference/Evidence: Thrusted a torch and it is left to fall within
Explanation/Reasoning: Is certainly cruel by burning Fortuanto while he is dying and soon dead.