“The Cask of Amontillado”

“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe is rife with symbolism. In this paper I’ll be discussing three main, important symbols: Montresor’s vaults, the human remains in the vaults, and the death of Fortunato. These points were not the only symbols present in “The Cask of Amontillado”. Some other symbols include: the bells on Fortunato’s hat symbolizing life and death, the Amontillado wine symbolizing life’s fortunes and mishaps, and the nitre symbolizing life’s hardships and difficulties.
The first symbol that I would like to discuss is Montresor’s vaults. I believe these vaults symbolize Montresor’s life. The long winding staircase and everlasting damp catacombs show us some idea of what he has been...