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The Cask Of Amontillado: The Dangers Of Pride - Online Term Paper

The Cask Of Amontillado: The Dangers Of Pride

In one of Edgar Allen Poe's best-known tales of horror, "The Cask of Amontillado," he suggests that pride can be a very dangerous thing. Through the use of foreshadowing, irony, and symbolism, Poe presents the compelling drama of two men. One who will stop at nothing to get the revenge that he deems himself and his family worthy of, and another who's pride will ultimately be the catalyst for his death. Fortunato falls prey to Montressor's plans because he is so proud of his connoisseurship of wine, and it is for the sake of his own pride that Montressor takes revenge on Fortunato. In this essay, I will examine how Poe utilizes the theme of pride and many other literary techniques such as ...

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Rather, he believes that his life will end as a result of some courageous act and he will die a noble death. However, Montressor can only laugh at this thought because he knows Fortunato's death will be far from noble and his pride will be soon is shattered in the dark depths of the catacomb.
Another instance of foreshadowing comes with the trowel scene. At one point in their journey, Fortunato makes a movement that is a secret sign of the Masons, an exclusive, fraternity-like organization. Montressor does not recognize this hand signal, but claims that he is a "mason" (1149). When Fortunato asks for proof, Montressor shows him his trowel. The implication is that Montressor is a stonemason--that is, that he will be building things out of stones and mortar: namely Fortunato's grave.
Irony is also widely used throughout Poe's great story. In fact, even the mode of revenge in this story shows irony. Montressor avenges himself by fooling his victim into literally walking into his own ...

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The Cask Of Amontillado: The Dangers Of Pride. (2006, June 11). Retrieved January 11, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Cask-Of-Amontillado-Dangers-Pride/47355

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 6/11/2006 02:44:21 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1087
Pages: 4

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