Montresor Perfect Crime

Words: 1004
Pages: 5
Open Document
Baylee Tims (Midland High School)
Mrs. Williams
Composition II
08 Feb. 2016
Pity within the Perfect Crime
In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor commits the perfect crime; he murders Fortunato, and leaves him to rot in the family catacombs without anyone even knowing that Fortunato is missing. Many readers struggle to understand why Montresor, the narrator of “The Cask of Amontillado,” is telling his story fifty years after committing murder. Some readers may believe that Montresor is finally telling his story to reveal that he is never caught; others may perhaps believe that Montresor is confessing to his crime because he is being eaten by guilt. Although both of the claims as to why Montresor waits so long to confess is still unknown, based …show more content…
Whatley states, “He has lived fifty years with Fortunato underneath him. Fortunato, like the pinned down serpent on Montresor’s coat of arms, delivers the last shot, perhaps the best in the common sense expression: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Montresor’s deathbed confession blesses Fortunato, revealing that some good comes out of the pain of evil and life can be a win/win situation,” (Whatley, 58). Montresor’s deathbed confession reveals that Montresor possesses a conscience because he is freeing himself from the death of Fortunato and even blesses him while lying on the deathbed. “Like Fortunato who pleads to be freed in his loneliest moment, so also Montresor in his last moment extends an act of simple impulse. He remembers Fortunato and says a restful goodbye to him,” (Whatley, 57). If Montresor is a sociopath, an antisocial person who lacks a conscience, he would not remember Fortunato and say a restful goodbye to him neither feel pity for his victim after he received his closure.
The reason behind Montresor’s late confession of the murder of Fortunato is still unknown. However, based on the story and other sources, it is inferred that Montresor receives closure from the murder, but begins to feel pity for his victim. Several years later, while lying on his deathbed, Montresor finally confesses to his murder, ultimately confessing that he got away with the perfect crime. Montresor is a sane human being and is not guilt-ridden by the crime because he does not have a change of heart once Fortunato is walled up in the catacombs, only pity for his “poor
Show More

Related Documents: Montresor Perfect Crime

Montresor's Murder

emotions with memories. Such an occasion occurs when Montresor, the narrator in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado”, as he recalls his murder of his enemy Fortunato. Through his diction and descriptions, Montresor expresses arrogance in his retelling of the murder. Montresor’s elocution suggests his lack of remorse for killing Fortunato. Specifically, Montresor completing his masonry and sealing Fortunato in his tomb, Montresor admits that his “heart grew sick”; however, he immediately…

Words 307 - Pages 2

Why Does Montresor Use Of Verbal Irony Analysis

of Amontillado," Edgar Allan Poe writes in first person from the perspective of Montresor, the narrator of this tale who vows revenge against Fortunato. Montresor whom began to develop the perfect plan for retribution.Consequently Poe uses verbal,dramatic,and situational irony to show Montresor misfortunes throughout the story which plays a vital role. Frist one example of verbal irony can be seen when Montresor first sees Fortunato he says “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met,”.(pg 237)This…

Words 434 - Pages 2

The Power of Pride Essay

The Power of Pride Pride is known as man’s greatest sin since it was pride that led to Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden of Eden. It is also the sin of Montresor and Fortunato in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado.” Montresor has been insulted by Fortunato, and his pride leads him to seek revenge. He cleverly plays upon Fortunato’s pride and leads him to his death with the promise of tasting a nonexistent cask of Amontillado, which is known to be a very expensive fine Italian…

Words 810 - Pages 4

Characterization: Edgar Allan Poe and Fortunato’s Eyes Essay

unreliable narrator, Montresor. Dramatic, situational and verbal irony develops the character of Fortunato as a naïve, foolish and gullible person. Fortunato has many weaknesses that lead to his eventual death. Although his name gives the impression that Fortunato is a fortunate person, he’s actually very unfortunate and makes himself an easy target for Montresor’s perfect crime. Fortunato does not realize he is being led into his own death. Dramatic irony is shown as Montresor says, “Neither…

Words 540 - Pages 3

The Cask Of Amontillado Literary Analysis

out the murder of a man named Fortunato by the man Montresor. "The Cask of Amontillado" had a chilling buildup of a man's careful planning and patience leading to the cold act of murder. Fortunato falls into one trap after the other, and unfortunate fool despite his name. Between the double meaning of Montresor's words and actions, and the foolish actions of Fortunato, you witness the perfect murder that is never found in all the years that Montresor lives. This story is the dark, enthralling story…

Words 1669 - Pages 7

Description Of Going Back To The Carnival

married her… I hated him with a bloody passion. I thought Marie loved me but I later found out she used me to get closer to him so that’s why I killed her. I would’ve killed Fortunato to, but then would’ve have seemed a little odd and I had to plan the perfect death after his last insult, which was the last straw for me. It still echoes in the back of my mind “it was too easy to steal Marie away from you, you never stood a chance” he said while laughing. When he said that, my blood started to boil, but…

Words 1964 - Pages 8