Pride in “The Cask of Amontillado”

Poe’s Cask of Amontillado is a classic tale that explores critical human dynamics, ranging from pride, envy, and evil scheming. Through iconic storytelling prowess, Allan takes the reader into Fortunato’s and Montresor’s world, two Victorian gentlemen blinded by pride and arrogance. Through Montresor, Poe examines human envy, jealousy, and ill intentions. Similarly, Fortunato’s character exposes how foolish pride predicates failure and destruction. Therefore, it is evident from a close reading of the short story that pride precedes a fall as Montresor manipulates Fortunato’s pride to lead him to death, and that pride blinds Fortunato to his imminent death.

Throughout the opening monologue, Montresor acknowledges Fortunato’s pride and supposed prowess in wine, giving him the perfect opportunity to lead him to death. Montresor says: "So he knew a lot about wines and proudly believed he was trained to judge them." (Poe). In the ensuing conversation, Montresor manipulates Fortunato's pride to get him into the catacombs. Montresor suggests that he had heard that Luchresi was also a proficient wine connoisseur. Unfortunately, Fortunato does not see through this trick and foolishly follows Montresor, who continues to play on his weakness.

Throughout the short story, it is apparent that Fortunato's pride and arrogance blind him to his imminent death. Throughout their conversation, Montresor plays the devil's advocate, even discouraging Fortunato from following him down into the catacombs. At one point, Montresor says, "I can see that you are not well, and the vaults are cold and wet" (Poe). However, Fortunato's pride leads him to say: "I do not care. Let us go. I'm well enough" (Poe). As the plot unravels, the reader sees Montresor incessantly tell Fortunato that they should abandon the quest. Regardless, Fortunato's pride pushes him deeper into his imminent death. Even as he is buried alive, the bricks stacking up to seal his fate, Fortunato remains oblivious to the nefarious scheme, deceiving himself that Montresor is only playing an elaborate prank on him.

Indeed, pride comes before a fall. Poe's short story illuminates the reality of this age-old truth. Fortunato, whose death is imminent from the story's start, falls victim to his ego, which deludes him into a false sense of security and power. On the other hand, Montresor, who is jealous and bitter with Fortunato, manipulates the protagonist, driving him into the catacombs, where he kills him by burying him alive. Throughout the story, Fortunato has several chances to see through Montresor's deceit and save his life. However, the idea that Luchresi could have been a better wine connoisseur is unacceptable to Fortunato and thus seals his grim fate. In the end, Poe's classic narrative serves as a cautionary tale for contemporary readers, telling them that they should not let their ego cloud their judgment and sobriety.