In "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allen Poe, the dark side of human nature is exemplified through the character of Montresor and his victim, Fortunato. Montresor is a manipulative and vengeful person. These characteristics lead to the death of Fortunato, a man who has wronged him. Through the acts, words, and the thoughts of Montressor, one is able to see him carry out his plan for revenge.

The story takes place in Italy at a carnival where Montresor and Fortunato meet each other by chance, or so it is seems. The mood at the carnival is lively and exciting. It is then that the two men head towards the catacombs of Montresor's home in search of the wine Amontillado. The catacombs are a place of death where skeletons lie scattered against the damp walls, which are covered in nitre. Montresor dons a "mask of black silk" and a heavy knee length cloak (149). Montresor's clothes seem to indicate his wanting to conceal himself so he can carry out his devious plan. On the other side of the spectrum, Fortunato wears a "tight fitting parti-striped dress, and his head [is] surmounted by the conical cap and

Montresor's actions also lend to his vengeful and manipulative nature. He lures Fortunato into the catacombs of his home to carry out his plans. First he caters to Fortunato's ego by saying that Luchesi was almost as worthy a judge of wine as he (150). Then Montresor tricks Fortunato into believing that there is an expensive pipe of wine in the depths of his catacombs. When they finally reach their destination, Montresor shackles him to the wall, constructs a tomb around him using bricks, and leaves him there to die. It is indicated that in the past that Fortunato has hurt Montresor many times, "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge" (149)." However, there were never any insults or unkind acts actually mentioned in the story. It is exactly the opposite. Fortunato was friendly and helpful towards Montresor. From the very beginning of the story, one can obviously see that Montresor thinks that Fortunato has wronged him. "He had a weak point-this Fortunato-although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared" (149). This line shows that Montresor's plan was

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Approximate Word count = 777
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)