How Character Traits Foreshadow Upcoming Events

How Character Traits Foreshadow Upcoming Events

In the short story "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, the two main characters, Montresor and Fortunato, come across conflict. Both characters are in pursuit of something, Montresor on getting revenge and Fortunato on the Amontillado. Montresor and Fortunato are both similar and different in several ways. It is their similarities and differences that work together to effectively deliver the narrative's message of blind vengeance. It is their described traits; Montresor as sly and Fortunato as naive, that foreshadow the events to follow throughout the short story.

Montresor and Fortunato are both very prideful men, who are willing to go to great lengths to maintain their honor and reputation. Montresor reveals his wounded pride from the very beginning, as he states that he had suffered a "thousand injuries" from Fortunato, and that he would, as a result of insult, "punish with impunity"(Poe) to defend his honor. He then enacts his evil plan of revenge, willing to do whatever he can to get rid of the insulting Fortunato. Montresor also shows self-pride when he brags about how his family name has been around for ages, and how they are "a great and numerous family" (Poe). Montresor's self-pride and importance of self-respect suggests that he is willing to do what it takes to maintain this essential value of his, as far as taking someone's life.

Fortunato is also a very prideful man bent on maintaining his reputation. For him, it is his reputation as a fine wine expert that he must defend to keep. Ironically, it is that pride that leads to his death, because it provokes him to follow Montresor deep into the catacombs, even when he is unsure of Montresor's intentions. While being egged on by Montresor's threats to take his wine to another man, Luchesi, Fortunato falls prey to Montresor's scheme. He refuses to turn back, insisting that he must taste the Amontillado for himself, and refuses to admit that Luchesi might have a "taste that is a match" of his own skill. Similar to Montresor, it is this trait that essentially leads to his "downfall", his death.

Montresor and Fortunato are both Italian gentlemen of high social standing. Montresor describes Fortunato as a man to be feared as well as "rich, respected, admired, and beloved." (Poe). He also tells Fortunato "you are happy, as once I was" (Poe) which reveals that not only did Montresor once belong to extraordinary wealth, but that he no longer posses such affluence, and now the tables have turned; it is now Fortunato who possesses these traits. Fortunato even describes the Montresor family vaults as being "extensive" (Poe), and the fact that the family even had a code of arms indicates that Montresor once belonged to wealth. Because Montresor is no longer in such a position of wealth, and Fortunato is, the event is foreshadowed. Montresor will act on his anger or jealousy of Fortunato, indicating that Montresor will be the predator of the situation.

Both men enjoy wine, and it is this mutual affection towards the drink that Montresor uses to lure Fortunato into the catacombs. Montresor states, "I was skillful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could, "comparing himself to Fortunato in skill.

The differences between the two fall mainly in personality traits. Montresor is portrayed as cunning and sly, in contrast to Fortunato's rather bumbling drunkenness. He is also obsessed with revenge, revealing a dark side to his nature. Fortunato seems good-natured on the other hand, attempting jokes and seemingly focused on having a good time. He is also frank and gullible, a bad combination for someone who has come across Montresor. His jester's costume foreshadows that he will play a fool, while Montresor cape and mask of black silk reveals he will play the murderer.

Fortunato is a bit of a light-hearted, harmless man who is filled with goodwill and a bit of obliviousness. Poe emphasizes his rather absurd character by having him wear a jester's hat, and by having him be a bit drunk.