The main theme presented in Poe's "The Cask of
Amontillado" is revenge. The protagonist of the story, Montresor, opens the story
telling of his dreams of revenge on Fortunato for the past fifty years. One can tell
from this, that Montresor is certainly a little off based upon a fifty year
grudge.
Montresor has the murder of Fortunato planned down
to the most intimate details. He plans for the "abduction" to take place during
carnival; this is a time where all are able to put on "masks" and not face typical
scrutiny. This is very ironic given Montresor is masking his insanity with a different
mask.
The behavior of Montrseor is the most telling
regarding his insanity. Readers are never told what Fortunato did to bring on the
revenge deemed so necessary by Montresor. This alone speaks to his insanity. What could
be so bad that would merit death? Unfortunately, one never finds out. The fact that
Montresor's revenge lies in an act omitted, one could assume that the thought of revenge
alone, over fifty years, is what led Montersor to his
insanity.
In the end, Montresor bricks Fortunato up in the
catacombs of his families' property. Montresor, after his revenge has been enacted, he
joins in Fortunato's screaming. It seems that his insanity has reached its breaking
point.
The theme of revenge reflects Montresor's insanity
given the period of time which he has struggled with the "injuries" Fortunato has placed
upon him. Knowing that it took fifty years for Montresor to enact this revenge, one can
only assume that it has eaten him up for the entire time as well. Montresor had no other
choice but to "go" insane.
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