Sunday, August 19, 2012

What are the differences and similarities of Montressor and Fortunato in "The Cask of Amontillado"?

Both of the characters of Edgar Allan Poe's short story,
"The Cask of Amontillado," share several similar traits. They are both wealthy and come
from families of longstanding influence. They both show an interest in wine; Montresor
uses Fortunato's weakness for Amontillado to lure him into his family's vast catacombs,
which doubles as a wine cellar. They are apparently old acquaintances, and Fortunato
considers Montresor a friend. However, to Montresor, Fortunato is his mortal enemy.
Montresor is far colder and more detached than the jovial Fortunato who, though drunk,
appears in the carnival costume of a court jester. Fortunato is obviously much more
trusting than Montresor; Fortunato willingly follows him into the cellars, never
considering that his friend has ulterior motives. Montresor, meanwhile, lies to his
servants, telling them that he will be absent from the house; he knows they will take
advantage of this and head to the carnival festivities. Montresor's coldness and lack of
trust continues for the next half century: During his retelling of the story, he shows
no hint of remorse, and he relates that he has never disclosed the story to
anyone.

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