A Cask of Amontillado Essay Theme of Masonry - 544 Words

The Theme of Masonry in A Cask of Amontillado The fundamental question in Edgar Allan Poes A Cask of Amontillado is the nature of Montresors 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 authors references to Masonry in his use of characterization, setting and irony indicate Montresors 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†¦show more content†¦Within this cloth is concealed a trowel, the instrument of Fortunatos destruction. Masonry is cloaked. The reader again sees this when presented the bones that lay promiscuously upon the earth beneath which lay the building stone and mortar that are used to forever seal Fortunatos fate (212-13). Montresors use of secrecy in the destruction of his adversary is significant as it relates to Fortunatos status as a Mason. A mason shrouds a Mason in masonry. In addition to this fundamental instance of situational irony, there is also a dramatic irony that Poe creates by allowing the reader to know Fortunatos ultimate destruction while Fortunato is entirely unaware. When Montresor asserts that he is indeed a mason (aware that he did not recognize the sign) the reader begins to realize what is to come. As he relates the motto of his Scottish arms: No one insults me with impunity, the reader perceives that Montresors vengeance may extend to the history of his ancestors, scorned by the brotherhood, to which Fortunato thinks only to reply, Good! (211-12). As Montresors ancestors have been condemned by the Masons, he will condemn a Mason with his own sort of masonry. Poe informs the reader that Montresor wants to make himself known to Fortunato as an avenger of a wrong (209). He had not before the night of his destruction, by word or deed given Fortunato cause to doubt [his] good will (209). He must, therefore, disclose to