Literary Review: “The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe” In “The Cask of Amontillado”, Edgar Allan Poe takes us on a trip into the mind of a mad man. Poe uses certain elements to convey an emotional impact. He utilizes irony, descriptive detail of setting, and dark character traits to create the search of sinfulness deceit. Poe also use the first person, where the narrator is the protagonist who is deeply involved. The purpose is to get the reader to no longer be the observer. He wants them to see with Montressor’s eyes, hear with his ears, and to react as he would. There is no real violence in the modern sense of the word. However, it is more horrifying because rather than seeing it through our eyes, we feel it through words. This short story is a great example of how descriptive imagery and irony can give an overall mood of horror and impending evil. The story provides the reader with the feeling of deception and a curiosity of the darkness of the murderous plot. Poe’s style is what makes this a masterpiece of horror. “The Cask of Amontillado” is a powerful tale of revenge. Poe does not disappoint us as his audience, as we are invited to visit the inner workings of a sinister mind. Telling the story from Montressor’s point of view, intensifies the effect of the moral shock and horror. Through Poe’s use of irony, this short story is a carefully crafted story of revenge with ironic wordplay. Montressor seeks revenge in an effort to support his time-honored family motto: “nemo me impune lacessit” or (no one attack me without being punished). Montressor, the sinister narrator of this tale, pledges revenge on Fortunato for an insult. The character of Montressor provides the pinnacle of deceit and belligerence needed to portray the story’s sin. An example of Montressor’s deception is portrayed in his concern for Fortunato’s health. Montressor r...
