`The Cask of Amontillado`- Analyze how Edgar Allan Poe employs the element of revenge as the foundation of this story. How does he employ irony and suspense to bulid a reader`s curiosity as the story progresses? Include in your discussion the importance o

The Cask of Amontillado - Edgar Allan Poe Poe 's `Cask of Amontillado ' depicts dominant themes of the times in which the story is set , 19th Century Europe with the plot denoting Italian aristocracy . Revenge of insults real and imaginary and burying people alive were two themes of the era . Poe was alive to these trends and hence has very effectively capitalized on the same throughout the plot . The theme thus revolves around an aristocrat Montresor seeking revenge on an Italian nobleman Fortunato who he feels has insulted and not just injured him

. As an member of the aristocracy of noble birth Montresor is reconciled to an injury , but his vanity cannot tolerate insult and he thus seeks revenge Poe 's allusion to revenge as the centrality of the plot is direct and forthcoming . The opening paragraph of , `The Cask of Amontillado highlights this to the reader in no uncertain terms stating that the protagonist , will seek avenge at length (Poe , 1991 . This is emphasized throughout the paragraph in various forms . Revenge is indicated as a definitive issue to be settled for being scorned . To underline the theme further , Montresor states that the nature of his soul being such revenge has not been uttered by him as a mere threat but something which will be carried to conclusion . The intent of retribution is also indicated with the emphasis on punishment not just being given but done so with impunity . But perhaps the final sentence in the opening paragraph appears to seal the argument of the plot which indicates that if revenge overtakes the redresser as well as when it is not felt as such by the wrong doer the wrong is not addressed properly

The setting of the plot is also appropriate to the theme of revenge Poe provides an interesting backdrop in the form of contrast between the carnival and dark catacombs . The carnival represents joy and happiness which is central to the occasion on the other hand the labyrinthine catacombs represent death . By transforming his victim from a location representing joy to one representing death , the impact of revenge is heightened through the stark contrast . Montresor 's family motto "Nemo me impune lacessit , literally translated means , No one can attack me without being punished . This is another indication of vengeance being the foundation of the story (Silverman , 1991 . This comes about some where in the final paragraphs leaving no doubt in the minds of the reader that this is a story of revenge

Tales of revenge amongst the aristocracy of the 19th Century in Europe have been many . The motto of many people of high birth has been render punishment to those who have personally scorned them . That this reprisal can be for reasons which are not so substantial is indicated by the author through lack of evidence for Montresor 's ire against Fortunato only indicating it as a series of vile invectives imposed upon him over a period . This is also typical of the times , when aristocrats found...