The Cask of Amontillado Group

Question:

gregshawty
gregshawty
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What does Fortuanto's costume symbolize?

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Posted by gregshawty on Tuesday October 13, 2009 at 7:08 PM and tagged with characters, costume, fortunato.

Answers:

  1. bullgatortail
    bullgatortail Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Since Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Cask of Amontillado" is set "during the supreme madness of the carnival season," the author puts Fortunato in an appropriate costume: He is dressed as a court jester--a fool. The costume is described as being motley (a colorful mix of great varieties), and he wore

    "a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells."

    Poe dresses Fortunato as a fool because his resulting movements--following Montressor deep into the catacombs in hopes of sampling a rare bottle of sherry--fit the actions of a fool. Inebriated, he allows Montressor to manipulate him and lead him to his death without realizing the intentions of his "friend" until it is too late.

    Sources:
    http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/amontil...

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    Posted by bullgatortail on Tuesday October 13, 2009 at 7:30 PM