Example research essay topic: Coat Of Arms Cask Of Amontillado - 853 words

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Edgar Allan Poe's short story, The Cask of Amontillado, presents the compelling drama of two men. Montresor, one of the two men, will stop at nothing to get the revenge that he deems worthy of from Fortunato. The other man, Fortunato, his own pride will ultimately be the catalyst for his death. From a critical perspective, Charles E. May states, That a readers primary concern should not be Montresor's reason for killing Fortunato, but his reason for telling about it. I believe that Montresor does enjoy telling the story of the destruction of Fortunato and has never atoned for his sin in any way.

The pride of Montresor has been dishonored and he could not bear to allow Fortunato to live. Montresor enjoys telling of Fortunato's death by foreshadowing the planning of Fortunato's death, showing the irony of his revenge, and demonstrating the pride and symbolism in his coat of arms. To begin, The Cask of Amontillado is full of clues that hint towards the untimely death of Fortunato. For instance, the scene where Montresor was walking Fortunato to his pipe of amontillado in the catacombs contains foreshadowing. This scene displays that death is upon Fortunato. The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me (Poe 189).

Montresor knows that Fortunato is going to perish from his vengeful scheme of trapping him and leading him to his own starvation. Fortunato is a proud man and doesnt believe that his death will be due to something as petty as a cold. In reality, Fortunato believes that his life will end as a result of some courageous act and that he will die a noble death. However, Montresor only laughs and is entertained by Fortunato's beliefs. Montresor knows Fortunato's death will not be noble and his pride will shatter in the dark depths of the catacombs.

In addition, another important clue that foreshadows that death was near for Fortunato is in the symbolism of the trowel. I looked at him in surprise. He repeated the movement- a grotesque one (Poe 190). You are not of the masons. Producing from beneath the folds of my roquelaure a trowel (Poe 190). This quote describes how Fortunato makes a movement that was a secret sign of the Masons, a fraternity-like organization.

Montresor does not recognize the hand signal Fortunato produces, but claims that he is indeed a mason. When Fortunato asks for proof, Montresor shows him his trowel. The implication is that Montresor was a stonemason. That is, that he builds things out of stones, mainly Fortunato's grave. Moreover, Montresor further enjoys the telling of his tale due to the dramatic irony he uses in Fortunato's murder. We will go back; your health is precious.

You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed (Poe 189). Another instance of irony is in Montresor's statement to his friend that they should return because his health is of value. This bit of conversation details irony because Montresor does not want to protect Fortunato's health, but wants to kill him. Montresor states that in spite of his decision of killing Fortunato, he continued smiling in his face (Fortunato's), but he adds: ... and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation" (Easylit-Poe).

Both men act in a normally fashion when they are acquainted, but in reality Montresor's smile has a whole different meaning which Fortunato cannot comprehend. The smile that grows on Montresor's face refers to his pride. This is a perfect example of irony in favor of revenge for Montresor, and also in the death of Fortunato. Finally, Montresor's boasting and telling of his story is in his honor and contains symbolism to his family's coat of arms. A huge human food dor, in a field of azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel (Poe 189). In this image, the foot is symbolic of Montresor and the serpent of Fortunato.

Montresor states, "I must not only punish, but punish with impunity" (Poe 187). Although Fortunato hurts Montresor deeply, the coat of arms suggests that Montresor will ultimately crush him. It is Montresor's duty and obligation to right the wrongs done to his family, even if it meant death. Poe uses this image of the coat of arms to describe the dangers of pride and the dreadful outcome of it all.

The coat of arms acts as a reminder of Montresor's purpose to lure Fortunato to the catacombs and to gain revenge from Fortunato. In conclusion, I agree with Charles E. Mays interpretation of the The Cask of Amontillado. I believe that Montresor did favor the death of Fortunato and enjoys his gloating of the story. A few facts that hint towards my observation are the foreshadowing used in the planning of Fortunato's death, the display of irony used in his revenge, and the demonstration of the symbolic pride in his coat of arms. Throughout this essay, Montresor displays his ultimate pride in killing Fortunato rather than any signs of atonement for his sin.

Research essay sample on Coat Of Arms Cask Of Amontillado