The Cask of Amontillado Group

Topic: In your opinion, what is Montresor thinking when he says, “In pace requiescat”? Explain your interpretation.

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1

redhead08

In your opinion, what is Montresor thinking when he says, “In pace requiescat”? Explain your interpretation.

2

pmiranda2857

The statement that Montresor makes means rest in peace.  In my opinion it has three specific meanings. First, he is replacing bones that have not been disturbed for 50 years, so he says the phrase to allow these bones to go back to their eternal rest.

Second, Montresor is, ironically, wishing Fortunato to rest in peace, odd, since he has just walled him alive in a tomb. 

Third, Montresor is finally  saying rest in peace to his 1000 undefined grievances against Fortunato.  His revenge complete, he can now lay to rest his dispute with this enemy.   

 "He hurriedly finishes the wall, placing the pile of bones in front. Lastly, he states, "For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them," ending with, "In pace requiescat," or "May he rest in peace."

3

I agree with reply #2.  The Latin phrase does mean "rest in peace".  I hadn't thought of Montresor's putting his grievances finally to bed, but wishing his "friend" whom he has just bricked into the wall, and the bones of the unknown person(s) which he places in front of the wall eternal peace makes sense.

4

This statement is ironic in my opinion, called verbal irony, because I found it sarcastic that he would utter these words when he had killed this man.  Very strange, indeed, and a sign of a mentally disturbed person!

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