A Cask of Amontillado Essay: Theme of Masonry -- Cask Amontillado Essa

The Theme of Masonry in A Cask of Amontillado  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The fundamental question in Edgar Allan Poe's "A Cask of Amontillado" is the nature of Montresor's motive for the revenge he "vowed" to obtain when Fortunato "ventured upon insult" (209). Montresor believes a wrong is "unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong"(209). While Montresor endeavors to make his vengeance known to Fortunato, the author's references to Masonry in his use of characterization, setting and irony indicate Montresor's motive. Fortunato throws back a bottle of wine in a "gesticulation [Montresor] did not understand," a sign of the Masons, a secret society of which he affirms he is a member (212). This secrecy is emulated in Montresor's slaughter of his foe. Montresor's deadly act, he himself, and ultimately Fortunato are shrouded in secrecy. Montresor's destruction of his foe is carried out at dusk. He leads Fortunato through the darkness "down a long and winding staircase" "into the inmost recesses of the catacombs" "at the most remote end of t...