The Cask of Amontillado Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

The Cask of Amontillado - Essay ExampleThe narrator aptly uses this weakness of Fortunato to lure him into his evil plot for revenge and retribution. Poe effectively illustrates the theme of confinement leading to death finished the repeated use of vino, specifically Amontillado, symbolizing entrapment and doom. The mention of wine in the very beginning of the chronicle is symbolic of the narrators evil motives of enticing and trapping Fortunato. The narrator is keenly aware of the accompaniment that Fortunato isnt serious about anything except Italian vintages because he prides himself on his connoisseurship in wine (Poe). He subtly lures Fortunato into his trap by arousing his curiosity and evoking his pride. For example, the narrator tells him that he has bought the full Amontillado without asking him original but will now consult Luchesi, Fortunatos supposed competitor, about it. The half drunken Fortunato is immediately intrigued, setting the plot in motion and preparing the road to his own entrapment. After tantalizingly repeating the spoken communication Amontillado several times, Fortunato himself mentions going into the narrators vaults to taste the prized wine. His intoxicated nous but enraged by pride, is unwilling to recognize the deception and danger he is ensnaring himself in. The stage is now set for their journey underground, into the bowels of the Montresorss tomb where death eventually awaits Fortunato. Once they start traveling to the vaults, Poe again employs the use of wine to further illustrate the idea of confinement. As the two travel deeper into the tomb, the nitre hanging like moss upon the vaults and the dampness rampage Fortunato with habitual coughs. Already confined in the dark passageway of the catacomb and dependent on the narrator to guide him, he resorts to drinking Medoc to alleviate the coughing. This not only helps to clear his throat but also increases his resolve to pass the Amontillado. Fortunato does not real ize that such determination is actually leading him to trap himself further. For, each step he now takes is bringing him closer to his ultimate confinement and death. Also, as they travel, Poe repeatedly refers to Fortunatos drunken eye symbolizing not only his physical entrapment within the vault but also the intoxicating dullness and confinement of his mind. For example, Fortunato looks at the narrator with two filmy orbs that distill the rheum of intoxication. Again subsequently going down a little more into the crypt, he asks for some more wine, this time swig down the entire flagon of De Grave making his eyes flash with a fierce light. His mind has become senseless and trapped, only thinking of the cherished Amontillado lying somewhere in the reliefes of the tomb draw and luring him closer to his demise. Finally, as they arrive at the end of the crypt lined with human bones and succumbed in darkness, Fortunos desire for Amontillado results in his final entrapment and doom. Anyone in their right mind would take one look at the sight of death and decay and run from there, seeking the freshness of the air and life above. Poe meticulously describes the recess prepared by the narrator having a depth about four feet, in width three, in height six or seven. This image is nothing less than a grave. Even the flare torchs attempt to shine a light in to the darkness is feeble, but Fortunato persists forward, emaciated by the thought of the Amontillado. As he sets his foot into the prepared tomb, Fortunato seals his fate and traps