The Cask of Amontillado Group

Question:

sandkcox07
sandkcox07
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What, exactly, is Montresor saying in this passage from paragraph 1 of "The Cask of Amontillado":

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.

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Posted by sandkcox07 on Friday June 20, 2008 at 11:20 PM and tagged with meaning, montresor, paragraph 1, the cask of amontillado.

Answers:

  1. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    What Montresor is saying in this passage is that in order for his revenge against Fortunato to be proper, complete and satisfactory, it must be carried out under certain conditions that he outlines in this paragraph.  

    "not only punish, but punish with impunity; that is, to punish Fortunato without being caught or punished himself. Furthermore, he is determined not to act in secrecy, for Fortunato must know that his pain is handed to him by Montresor."

    Therefore, Montresor must devise a plan that includes innocent deception so as to lure Fortunato to his death.  Once he has fully trapped him, Montresor can then reveal his act of revenge.  Deeply hidden from any watchful eyes, he exacts his revenge on Fortunato with cold, deadly precision.  The victim is fully aware that he is being buried alive, and he dies knowing who killed him.   

    It is certain, no one will ever find Fortunato, nor can anyone blame Montresor for his disappearance; he has committed the perfect murder.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/cask-amontillado/summary

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Friday June 20, 2008 at 11:46 PM