The short story, “The Cask of Amontillado,” written by Edgar Allan Poe, portrays the theme of revenge and bases the story upon that theme.  Although it does exhibit other themes such as pride, patience, and planning, it mostly focuses on the idea of retribution.  Also very characteristic of Poe’s writings is his use of irony and imagery throughout the story.  He uses very specific adjectives that perfectly grasp the atmosphere.  Poe uses these styles and ideas to enhance the theme of revenge in this short story.

The main character in this short story, Montresor, persisted unwaveringly to retaliate on an old enemy that he passionately detested.  He wanted to kill a person who insulted his family name. The reason that he was so successful was because he had the event planned out.  He knew exactly what he wanted to do to get revenge on Fortunato, the enemy of Montresor, and he was in no particular rush to do it (Poe 116).  He demonstrated his patience when he said “At length I would be avenged” (116).  This meant that although he was in no hurry, he would not cease when it seemed like success was not in the near future.  He would get his revenge when the time was right.

This short story typifies Poe’s Gothic style of writing.  He uses dark descriptive words to add effect and to give the reader a very clear image of what happens.  He wants his readers to see exactly what he is visualizing.  His description of gloomy dark vaults sets the tone for Montresor’s personality.  It also foreshadows the way that Fortunato would die in the dark depressing atmosphere of the tomb created for him (120-121).  He incorporates his Gothic style into the theme by making Montresor’s revenge on Fortunato very depressing and dreary.

The use of irony is also significant towards the theme.  Poe makes many ironic expressions and comments that hint at what will become of Fortunato.  For example, when the two characters take a drink of wine, Fortunato makes a classy toast and Montresor replies “And I to your long life” (118).  This is ironic because Montresor at the time was intending to kill Fortunato which would dramatically shorten his life.

Another example of irony used by Poe was the names of the two main characters.  Montresor is French meaning “my treasure”.  His treasure was his family name and motto.  It motivated him to get his revenge.  The motto was “Nemo me impune lacessit”, meaning no one provokes me with impunity (118).  Fortunato can be related to the word fortunate, which was not a word that could be used to describe this character in the story.  He was not a man of good fortune.  Fortunato was very unfortunate because he was murdered (121).

Imagery plays a key role in “The Cask of Amontillado.”  Poe vividly describes every detail.  This paints an image that accurately allows the reader to see through his eyes.  He captures each scene using words such as “dusk” and “madness” to depict the scene of the carnival (118).  Then, when they are in the vaults, he describes the setting as having drops of moisture that “trickle among the bones” (119).  This makes the reader feel creepy, almost as if the moisture is running off of his or her bones.  Poe proceeds to describe the rest of the journey in the same manner.  With each passing minute it gets darker and yet Fortunato does not see what is coming to him.

In this story, revenge has many characteristics.  In the beginning, revenge is something that Montresor longs for.  All of his actions and thoughts reflect his obsession of getting revenge.  Towards the end, it becomes so close that Montresor can taste it.  It is inevitable.  So, finally, Montresor gets the revenge that he has been longing for.  Montresor chains him to the wall and covers the niche with a brick wall that he constructs.  Before placing the last stone into its position on the wall, Montresor throws a torch into the niche and then proceeds to finish the wall, suffocating Fortunato to death (120-121).  After Fortunato dies, it is a feeling of sickness.  Montresor feels sick in his heart (121).  He tries to convince himself that it is the catacombs that are making him sick but he knows why he feels bad.  As for Fortunato, revenge is invisible to him all the way until right before he dies.
Poe’s use of irony, combined with his Gothic style of writing, considerably contributes to the theme of the story.  His descriptive imagery also aids in portraying the exact setting that Poe wants his readers to picture.  Together these factors make the theme of revenge evident in the short story “The Cask of Amontillado.”

Image via Wikipedia

(Uses references from lines in Poe’s short story)