The Cask of Amontillado | Analysis

Her er Studienets analysehjælp til novellen "The Cask of Amontillado" af Edgar Allan Poe. Vi viser dig, hvilke elementer, der er relevante at tage med i en analyse af denne tekst, og vi hjælper dig med at fortolke novellen og sætte den i perspektiv.

Præsentation af teksten

Titel: “The Cask of Amontillado”
Forfatter: Edgar Allan Poe
Udgivelsesår: 1846
Genre: Novelle

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) var en amerikansk forfatter i den romantiske periode, som dyrkede den mørke side af romantikken. Hans noveller indeholder ofte makabre begivenheder og ender ofte med mord. “The Cask of Amontillado” menes at være inspireret af en legende, som forfatteren hørte om to løjtnanter, der sloges i en duel, der endte med den enes død. De øvrige soldater hævnede sig over vinderen ved at drikke ham fuld og indemure ham.

Uddrag

Her er et lille uddrag fra analysehjælpen til "The Cask of Amontillado":

Themes

“The Cask of Amontillado” is a story about betrayal and revenge. The narrator feels betrayed and offended by the other character – Fortunato – who had allegedly badmouthed his name behind his back. In his turn, Montresor betrays Fortunato by tricking him into a death trap so he could take revenge.

Exploring this theme in the short story becomes possible through the motif of pride. Both characters are proud – Montresor of his name, Fortunato of his wine knowledge. Their pride leads them in the story. It is the feeling of hurt pride which pushes Montresor to seek vengeance, and the same feeling makes Fortunato vulnerable to the narrator’s trap. If the characters were not as proud, then the conflict would have been avoided. Pride enhanced both the feeling of betrayal Montresor experienced and his thirst for vengeance.