Monday 19 September 2016

The word explicit means "clearly stated." In "The Cask of Amontillado," does Montresor make his plans explicit to Fortunato as they descend into...

No, Montresor does not make his plans for Fortunato totally explicit before they descend into his family's vaults.  He plans, of course, to murder Fortunato by walling him up alive near the bodies of Montresor's ancestors, and he never clearly states his intention to Fortunato.  He lies about the cask of Amontillado, the uncommon Spanish sherry wine, saying that he's anxious to get a true connoisseur's opinion on his recent purchase.  He is honest, on...

No, Montresor does not make his plans for Fortunato totally explicit before they descend into his family's vaults.  He plans, of course, to murder Fortunato by walling him up alive near the bodies of Montresor's ancestors, and he never clearly states his intention to Fortunato.  He lies about the cask of Amontillado, the uncommon Spanish sherry wine, saying that he's anxious to get a true connoisseur's opinion on his recent purchase.  He is honest, on the other hand, about the niter in the vaults, and he warns Fortunato about the effect this will have on him and his terrible cough.  He is honest, as well, about his family's motto, Latin words which translate to "You will not harm me with impunity."  Thus, Montresor does, in many ways, give Fortunato some warning that he should not accompany him into the vaults, that Montresor might have some score to settle and that it could be dangerous for Fortunato.  However, he knows that Fortunato's pride will not permit him to remain above when a chance to embarrass Montresor lies below.

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