The Complex Personality of Montresor: Resentment, and Machiavellianism

Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" is a short story that narrates the revenge of the protagonist, Montresor, against his acquaintance, Fortunato. Montresor's intricate plan of luring Fortunato into his cellar and burying him alive is a reflection of his complex personality traits, including envy, resentment, and Machiavellianism. By analyzing Montresor's traits, this essay seeks to underscore his motivations and contribute to a deeper understanding of his character.

Envy

Firstly, Montresor's envy is a driving force behind his plan to murder Fortunato. Throughout the story, Montresor expresses resentment towards Fortunato, who is a successful wine connoisseur and a Freemason. This envy is particularly evident when Montresor says, "He had a weak point – this Fortunato – although in other regards, he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in the wines" (Poe, 1846). Montresor's envy is not only limited to Fortunato's accomplishments but also extends to his reputation and social status. By eliminating Fortunato, Montresor believes that he can restore his own sense of pride and assert his dominance over him.

Resentment

Secondly, resentment is also a major factor in Montresor's personality. This resentment is the result of a past insult that Fortunato inflicted on Montresor. Although the nature of the insult is never explicitly stated in the story, it is clear that it is significant enough to have a lasting impact on Montresor's emotional state. This is evident when Montresor says, "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge" (Poe, 1846). Montresor's resentment is a testament to the notion that he is a vengeful person who holds grudges for a long time.

Machiavellianism

Finally, Montresor's Machiavellianism is the most striking of all his personality traits. Machiavellianism is a personality trait characterized by manipulation, deceit, and a lack of empathy. Montresor embodies all these traits, as evidenced by his use of deception to lure Fortunato into his cellar and his cold-hearted murder of him. Montresor not only plans his revenge carefully but also executes it with precision, demonstrating his Machiavellian tendencies. Additionally, Montresor's language throughout the story is manipulative and calculated, as he seeks to gain Fortunato's trust and then use it for his own gain. This is evident when Montresor says, "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met" (Poe, 1846). Montresor's Machiavellianism is a manifestation of his cunning and ruthless personality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Montresor's intricate plan of revenge against Fortunato is a reflection of his complex personality traits, namely envy, resentment, and Machiavellianism. Montresor's envy towards Fortunato's accomplishments and social status, his resentment towards a past insult, and his Machiavellian tendencies to manipulate and deceive make him a multi-dimensional and intriguing character. By analyzing Montresor's traits, we can gain a deeper understanding of his motivations and explore the complexity of his character. Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" remains a classic example of psychological horror and serves as a timeless study on the darker aspects of human nature.