Lit Analysis of the Cask of Amontillado

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Fortunato’s Misfortune Pride has always been the source of many feuds between human beings from the beginning of time. It was pride that led to kings fighting each other for no other reason than having too much pride. It is also the problem between Montresor and Fortunato in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado.” Fortunato had insulted Montresor which led Montresor’s pride to seek revenge. He strategically messed with Fortunato’s pride and leads him to his death with his love for wine. Through the actions of these two men, Poe illustrates that a man’s pride leads to his own demise. Fortunato’s pride leads him into the trap that Montresor had laid out for him. Montresor sees Fortunato’s pride as a weakness and uses this against him. Montresor makes up a cask of Amontillado, knowing that Fortunato will go to all lengths to taste it. To make sure that Fortunato stays, Montresor plays with his pride even more by saying that he plans to have Luchesi taste the wine because “if anyone has a critical turn, it is he” (211). Fortunato’s pride can’t accept that anyone is a better wine taster than he is. Fortunato thinks that he can say and do anything to Montresor because of his superior skills. Little does he know that his pride is leading him straight into his own death. The power of pride is clearly shown in the character of Montresor. His pride in his family name is so great that “When [Fortunato] ventured upon insult, [Montresor] vowed revenge” (210). He can’t allow himself to be put down for he would appear weak and slighter, so he plans his revenge on Fortunato very cautiously. His desire to punish Fortunato is related to his family motto, “’Nemo me impune lacessit,’” which means “No one attacks me with impunity” (212). Consequently, his ancestors were above reproach, and their pride gave them the sense that any attack should be met with an even

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