Essay About 'The Cask of Amontillado'

Edgar Allen Poe was born in Boston Massachusetts on January 19th, 1809. His mother and father died before he was 3 years old. In the year of 1827, Poe enlisted to be part of the United States Army. Poe had a gambling and a drinking addiction. He couldn’t control himself. In 1836, he marries a girl named Virginia. Virginia is a 13-year-old girl at that time.

While enlisted in the army Poe was stationed at Castle Island. Poe wrote “The Cask of Amontillado” based off his experience during that station. He read about burial places and markets about Castle Island. This place had a violent episode years before. There was a duel between two lieutenants named, Robert Massie and Gustavus Drane. This fight took place Christmas Day, year 1817. The story goes that Drane was a big hot shot, self-centered, and was a big mouth. He accused Massie cheating at cards. The swords are pulled out ready to fight. The duel was taken place in the inner walls of the fort. Massie was killed by Drane. Legend has it that Drane disappeared for a long time. The fellow officers thought Drane was kidnapped and walled up while Drane was in a room, burring him alive.

This short story has an eerie, suspenseful, no blood or gore thriller vibe to it. Poe obviously had a hard time throughout his life. The cask is described as a “pipe” in the short story. It is a huge barrel that is use for investment. The setting is set in Venice Italy. Montresor had the intent of killing Fortunato in this short story. The story adds to the eeriness by making it dusk. We also get to see the madness of the carnival. Italy people love their wine. Montresor sees Fortunato like himself.

I really love the symbolism in this short story. There is a shield with a golden human foot stomping or crushing on a serpent. This symbolized that Fortunato took shots at Montresor making Montresor to fire back and determine to eliminate the competition. Fortunato hurt Montresor’s pride and Fortunato has the pay the price by his death. In this story the carnival symbolizes how free people can be. Everyone having a great time. When Montresor bring Fortunato down into the catacombs this is when we get to see the catacombs symbolize confinement. The catacombs get smaller, smaller, and smaller the more they continue down the hall. The ironic part is that Fortunato is dressed as an old jester with bells on his head. People could obviously hear the jingles form his hat. Montresor planed out and executed his revenge perfectly.

All in all, I would recommend this short story for people to read. I really enjoyed reading Edgar Allen Poe. Poe has a horror touch to his stories that are close to him. All his stories mean something to him and people dying. He puts in so much vivid details he doesn’t need to put in blood. I would re-read this short story more than once because it’s that good.

Cite this page