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   cldbentley Teacher
   High School - 11th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   Because the reader experiences the events of "The Cask of Amontillado" through third person point of view in which the narrator (Montresor) tells his tale to an unknown listener who obviously knows him very well, tje reader is able to better understand, and more fully appreciate the depth of, certain aspects of Montresor's personality and the actions that he takes as a direct result of those characteristics.  For example, Montresor explains his own motive for seeking revenge against Fortunato:

   The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge...I must not only punish but punish with impunity.  A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser.  It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

   Montresor clearly believes himself justified in exacting revenge, however cruelly, against Fortunato; this indicates a sense of entitlement and conceit.  In addition, Montresor is an excellent assesor of human nature and employs that gift in ensuring Fortunato's willingness to descend into the vaults.  The point of view in this story also enables the narrator to reveal his own shocking enjoyment of Fortunato's reaction to being enclosed within the catacomb wall and the actual act of bricking him in.

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   Posted by cldbentley on Monday October 12, 2009 at 9:55 AM