A Psychoanalytic Criticism of Edgar’s “The Cask of Amontillado”

A Psychoanalytic Criticism of Edgar’s “The Cask of Amontillado”

The short story, “Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Poe, illustrates the reasons as well as the way people act in a certain way in every particular moment. Poe reveals his concern and theory within a classic story that depicts pride, arrogance, ignorance, and deceit. The author manages to attain his goals when he uses dark moments to assist him in painting a dismal image that develops the victim within the story as well as the offender in the characters of Montresor and Fortunato. The pride and the aspiration of seeking vengeance within Montresor become the factor that prompts him to revenge against Fortunato, who, in this case, is the rival. The anger and redistribution feelings within Montresor can be entirely depicted through the narrative assessment, which pertains to the psychoanalytical theory of Sigmond Freud explaining the construction of human personality through ego, id, and superego.

Poe’s narrative of the “The Cask of Amontillado” majorly demonstrates a significant bit of id’s work throughout the entire story.  One of the basic human understandings is the decision of whether to die or live. The agitation that Monstressor possesses towards killing his friend, Fortunato, mirrors the moment he says that “he did not perceive that to smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (Poe 240). At this moment, readers can see that Mosntressor lacks his ability to rationally reason while he plans to murder the friend as the only thing he sees is how he was wronged in every circumstance. One of the primary elements of Id is pride, which exists in human personality and can also be visible in Fortunato’s thoughts and actions. Fortunato regards himself as a “supreme wine critic” that does not match with any other person, but immediately he realizes that his friend, Montresor has “Cask of Amontillado,” so he calls himself the “supreme judge.” Montresor pleads with Fortunato not to keep going since the catacombs where the item resides, is too damp- an element which can ironically depict that Fortunato is in one way or another illness. The actions of Montresor’s suggest that he cunningly expresses the pride in his friend, especially by implying that Fortunato’s enemy, Luchreshi can fit the description of Amontillado. The author provides an analysis of the stated elements through the assertion that “Let us go, nevertheless…You have been imposed upon… and as for Luchresi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado” (Poe 241).

From the onset of the tale, “Cask of Amontillado,” Fortunato is depicted as not only arrogant but also an egoistic character. As the story begins, Montresor narrates the situation by asserting that he has persevered thousands of injuries from his friend, but now that he has insulted him, he vows to revenge. Although Edgar fails to reveal the kind of insult which the friend imposed on him, there are several instances within the novel that provides discourse about the abuse by Fortunato. It seems that Fortunato does not realize that his response towards Montressor is irritating, and the remarks he provides defines him as not only arrogant, but also uncaring. At the beginning of the story, Fortunato provides an overview of his belief that Montressor fails to depict an image of a “true connoisseur of wine” upon issuing a remark that states, “Amontillado! You have been imposed upon” (241). Towards the progress of the narrative, Montressor takes the image of a toast to the dead that repossesses in their vicinity instead of toasting to Fortunato, who is his friend. As can be seen, the Montressor is not special even amid his relatives. Through a casual conversation, Fortunato tells his friend that his family is an entire post. However, the friend responds that he is a member of the brotherhood Masons as the protagonist says, “You? Impossible! A mason?” (242). It is impossible to mistake the fact that Fortunato implies that Montressor is lying regarding the ordeal. One can deduce that shame serves as a corresponding element and in a phenomenon where there is insufficient self-esteem; severe attacks may attain the inner core of a human soul, which may prompt the person to respond with violence and rage. The narrative conceives that Montressor may be suffering from a mental illness as readers observe the way the character is easily prompted to commit violent actions just by the fact that the antagonist is a little insensitive.

The use of the superego in Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” fails to depict within the context of id and ego. While the short story attains its end, readers can have a sense of facts in Montressor’s actions, the consequences of his acts. The characters become remorseful of his steps towards his friend and even regrets why he killed him. Even though the character seem to be drunk, he still recognizes the damage he has caused in his deeds and attempts to reason with the friend, telling him the lady Fortunato is waiting for them; hence should leave the place immediately. However, while Montressor is showing signs of agreement regarding the assertions, and proceeding with the conversation, Fortunato suddenly becomes silent.

The author asserts;

“… I listened in vain for a reply. I grew impatient. I called aloud — “Fortunato!” No answer. I called again — “Fortunato!” No answer still. I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture and let it fall within… My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so” (Poe 244).

From the quotes, Montressor begins to reason that dampness and catacombs make him feel sick, although realistically, the superego in him conjures his moral perception of the murder he has committed.

Conclusion

The short story depicts anger as well as the redistribution feeling of Montressor, just as illustrated in the psychoanalytical theory of Sigmond Freud that represents human personality through ego, id, and superego.  Murder feelings are usually driven by the id, although it is often rationalized by the ego as depicted from the way Monstressor deals with insults from his friend, Fortunato. Through the Id, Monstressor manages to convince his superego that his acts are moral, acceptable, and natural, while the ego tells him that he is greater than how a friend wants to depict him through insults. The author, through his creation of Montressor’s image, explains an innate sympathy and understanding that a criminal mind possesses. Poe attains this goal through the utilization of the essential elements of human nature before he cunningly evolves and twits the path of the narrative into a tale that illustrates the vices of vengeance, tailoring it into a way that readers can be curious of if he was the killer himself.