The Cask Of Amontillado Character Analysis - 3502 Words

Profiling a Psychopath, Producing Powerful Imagery, and Fantasizing about Revenge in Edgar Allan Poe s The Cask of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe s short story The Cask of Amontillado was first published in an 1846 issue of Godey s Lady s Book, a popular women s magazine in America (Nagy). Poe s tale of premeditated murder is narrated by a smug Montresor, who feels vindicated after disposing of his enemy by walling him up in the catacombs. Yet, it is not only the premeditated murder that makes this tale horrifying. Part of the terror of The Cask of Amontillado occurs when the reader recognizes that Montresor is a psychopath. By beginning the tale with an indignant Montresor who demands retribution and coupling it with Montresor†¦show more content†¦They re extremely charming. 2. They don t experience remorse. 3. They re really arrogant. 4. They take big risks. 5. They re master manipulators. Montresor exhibits all five indicators of a psychopath, and Poe s characterization enhances the overall horror aspect of the story. The first trait of a psychopath is that he/she is extremely charming. Poe includes many examples of Montresor s charm throughout the story, which adds to the overall horror. For example, Montresor slyly says: I continued, as was my wont to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation (415). The idea that someone can smile right at you and has thoughts of killing you is horrifying. Montresor uses excessive charm to lure his victim. In addition, upon meeting Fortunato, he states: I was so pleased to see him that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand (415). His charismatic greeting disguises his true intentions of murder. Later on, he even flatters Fortunato by declaring: our health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy (417). Interestingly, Montresor s charming smiles, handshakes, and flattery add to the horror of the story and emphasize the narrator s psychotic nature. Poe s characterization depicts a second trait common to psychopaths, and that is that they don t experience remorse. This lack of remorse adds an elevated sense of terror throughout the narrative. At the end ofShow MoreRelatedThe Cask of Amontillado: Character Analysis1060 Words   |  5 Pageshole in a wall, bricks it over, and leaves Fortunato to die. Even through the traits of anger, hatred, and revenge, as the story progresses on, Montresor, the main character in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†, starts to show signs of feeling guilty for wanting to murder Fortunato. The major characteristics of the narrator and main character, Montresor, are anger, hatred, and revenge. 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