Montresor
The character Montresor in “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe is a character for a close psychoanalytic approach and study. This short story is teeming with the need to be analyzed from a psychoanalytic viewpoint. The very first line when Montresor states, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.” (Poe 160), clearly indicates that the protagonist of the story will not be a stable character. When the character says, “I must not only punish, but punish with impunity.” (160), the reader is clear on the tone of the story and may realize that Montresor is not sane. Montresor is about to act on his plot of revenge and lures Fortunato away from a celebration under
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Yes, initially he does present as psychopathic, but a closer look at such a complex character shows someone who really is insecure and obsessive. These two qualities of his personality run parallel to his most defining personality trait. Montresor was a true narcissist. People who suffer from narcissistic personality believe the world revolves around them and have no empathy for others. His vengeful satisfaction was not found just in the death of Fortunato, he had to commit the act himself and with a creative flare. When he describes his plan and how well it is going, the reader can almost hear his smirk of delight. There are many times throughout the story that Montresor feigns care for Fortunato. The nature of his precarious health become clear as they descend into the dark, damp catacombs, “The gait of my friend was unsteady” and the Montresor reflects on Fortunato cough. He implies that the cough may kill the important Fortunato, “You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter” (161). The reader can speculate that Montresor knew Fortunato was not a well man and is speeding along Fortunato’s death by taking him to the oppressive damp catacombs that after a long exposure could induce difficult breathing for the chronic
Yes, initially he does present as psychopathic, but a closer look at such a complex character shows someone who really is insecure and obsessive. These two qualities of his personality run parallel to his most defining personality trait. Montresor was a true narcissist. People who suffer from narcissistic personality believe the world revolves around them and have no empathy for others. His vengeful satisfaction was not found just in the death of Fortunato, he had to commit the act himself and with a creative flare. When he describes his plan and how well it is going, the reader can almost hear his smirk of delight. There are many times throughout the story that Montresor feigns care for Fortunato. The nature of his precarious health become clear as they descend into the dark, damp catacombs, “The gait of my friend was unsteady” and the Montresor reflects on Fortunato cough. He implies that the cough may kill the important Fortunato, “You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter” (161). The reader can speculate that Montresor knew Fortunato was not a well man and is speeding along Fortunato’s death by taking him to the oppressive damp catacombs that after a long exposure could induce difficult breathing for the chronic