The significance of Fortunato’s attire lies in the impression of the fool he conveys dressed as he is and stumbling about from excessive drink . Montresor has planned well; this man to be respected and even feared has his guard down and is incapable of rational thought or resistance because of his drunken state.
What does the motley symbolize in The Cask of Amontillado?
Motley refers to the traditional costume of the court jester, or the harlequin character in commedia dell’arte . The latter wears a patchwork of red, green and blue diamonds that is still a fashion motif. Montresor says that he encountered Fortunato on the street at the height of the carnival.
What is the significance of Fortunato wearing Motley at the carnival?
What is the significance of Fortunato wearing Motley at the carnival? He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells .” In short, Fortunato is dressed as a fool, a symbolic representation of what he is.
What was Fortunato wearing at the carnival?
Fortunato is dressed as a jester, or a clown . You may be familiar with this outfit. It was often very colorful, with bright colors such purple and yellow or red in patches (that is the “part-striped” part), and may have pom poms or bells on the end of the cone cap.
What does Amontillado symbolize?
The Amontillado represents the causes of Fortunato’s demise . The crest shows a heal smashing a serpent’s head as the serpent sinks its fangs into the heel. It is symbolic of what happens to Fortunato. Fortunato has wounded Montresor’s pride in some way.
What is the irony of Fortunato’s costume?
Fortunato is dressed as a fool, which is emphasised by the jester’s “conical cap and bells.” What is so ironic about this costume is that Fortunato’s costume is truer to his character than he thinks, as he indeed shows himself to be the archetypal fool in the way that he trusts Montresor so quickly and yields to his ...
What is ironic about the narrator’s conversation with Fortunato once they enter the catacombs?
What is ironic about the narrators conversation with Fortunato once they enter the catacombs? Montresor asked Fortunado if he wanted to leave the catacombs because he was coughing, and Fortunado said no, because he wanted the Amontillado.
What is the significance of the title The Cask of Amontillado?
The title of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” refers to the rare pipe of Amontillado that Montresor claims to have in order to lure Fortunato back to Montresor’s home.
What were Fortunato’s last words?
In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Fortunato’s last words to Montresor are “ For the love of God, Montresor! ” With these words, he’s begging for his life, trying desperately to make Montresor see that what he’s doing is completely wrong.
What are 3 things Montresor does to lure Fortunato?
Because of the nitre which is causing Fortunato to cough, Montresor gives him Medoc to drink , proceeding to get his friend drunk. In his intoxicated state, Fortunato is easily fooled into his grave, still in search of the illusive Amontillado.
What is the significance of Fortunato belonging to the order of the Masons?
Fortunato gives an indecipherable sign with his hands, a form of signaling that would be recognized had Montresor been a Mason , and taught how to recognize it. Montresor’s lack of response, or of recognition, is how Fortunato determines that Montresor is not a member.
How did the main character get his servants to leave?
Montresor knew that his house would be empty because he made sure that his servants would leave by telling them that he would not be returning home. His servants don’t respect him. He is certainly not up to Fortunato’s station in life. He knows how to get rid of his servants.
What is the irony of Montresor’s name?
The irony lies in the fact that Fortunato is anything but fortunate since he is cruelly led to die from suffocation or starvation . The Montresor family has a coat of arms and motto that is symbolic. Their coat of arms is a huge human foot crushing a snake that has sunk its fangs into the heel of the foot.
What is Fortunato symbolic of?
In Italian, fortunato means fortunate, or lucky . A final symbol that is worthy of mentioning is Montresor’s family crest and motto, which represents Montresor’s plan to kill Fortunato and his desire for revenge.
Is Fortunato a wicked man?
Fortunato is an unsuspecting victim , who follows Montresor into his family’s catacombs, where he is buried alive. According to Montresor, Fortunato is a man who has caused him a “thousand injuries” and who has wronged him numerous times. He never details, though, what Fortunato has supposedly done to him.
Why is Fortunato dressed in jester?
Fortunato would not choose a jester’s costume to show he thought himself a fool . He chose it because he thought of himself as a jester, a person who enjoyed playing cruel tricks on people. ... The “tight-fitting” costume makes it easy for Montresor to chain Fortunato tightly against the rock wall.
