Revenge Essay

Rest in Peace, Revenge is Mine

This is the first short story by Edgar Allan Poe that I've read, The Cask of Amontillado. The tale is of two men, one walking the other to his death without him knowing it. A tale of manipulation, dark foreshadowing, damp and creepy catacombs, and no story would be complete without a climactic death at the end. Very little is told to us about the two characters involved, the narrator and Fortunato, but this takes nothing away from the story. The narrator tells of the event of how he committed premeditated murder and seems to enjoy the retelling of it. I am convinced that the narrator is shouting at me, "revenge is sweet", with a deep, pleasing cackle fading into the darkness.
Revenge is a dish best served cold. This is a very well known saying and reverberates throughout the story. Revenge isn't something to take at the spur of the moment in anger. No, no. Revenge is best when it is thought out, meticulously planned and executed. "At length I would be avenged." (47) The word 'length' is even in italics. The narrator is telling the reader that this event wasn't a whim, but a calculated plan. The narrator puts "on a mask of black silk" (49), illustrating his criminal intent towards Fortunato. Further along in the story we see another piece of his premeditation. "Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar." (52) The narrator reveals that some time before, he had stock piled the materials he needed in order to carry out the deed. "I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire." (51) Before going out that night even, he made sure not to forget the tools that he would need. Not a single detail had been forgotten in the planning of this grim act.
Revenge has a soft, gooey feeling, free of guilt when the recipient goes along willingly. Through the telling of