Here's a Level II question to think about, and my answer with it.
Level II Question: What does Fortunato’s outfit symbolize?
Fortunato dresses up in motley for the carnival. This is significant to the story because motley is also what a court jester or fool wears. Poe employs sick irony in this story; he has Fortunato play the court fool, yet in the end, Fortunato is tragically fooled by Montresor.
It's really short, I know, but I'll add some more later.
Blogger is really annoying me...line spacing and now font size..Sorry.
ReplyDeleteHere’s a little tidbit.
Who is Fortunato fooling? Fortunato is fooling everyone. He pretends to be an extremely learned connoisseur of wine, but it is evidence in the story that this is not true. For example, he says, “Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry,” but Amontillado is a type of Spanish sherry. Another clue into Fortunato’s fraudulence is when he “emptied [a flagon of De Grave] at a breath.” De Grave is a very limited, high-class, and expensive French wine, and anyone knowing anything about it would at least take some time to savor its taste. True, Fortunato is drunk, but even in his intoxicated state, he strives to let people know about his wine-tasting skills, as evidenced by his quest to taste the Amontillado.
--Maria >.<
I think his outfit symbolizes being a joke or the irony of the story. He dresses up in motley which is the same things as what a court jester wears. So the irony is that he thinks he is very knowledgeable but dresses like a fool and end up getting tricked in to being murder.
ReplyDeletexoxo rachel!
HAI RACHEL!!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that I agree with you.
--Maria >.<
Hey guys! I liked what you have written so far. I just wanted to add this...
ReplyDeleteFortunato’s attire symbolizes many things in the text. The narrator states, “The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells” (Poe 192). The quote represents what Fortunato’s attire is. If one were to visualize what his appearance is, Fortnuato would look like a court jester or fool. In many of Poe’s works, there are many ironic references and situations involving the characters. Poe continues his method of writing, as he underlines the irony of Fortunato’s engagement with Montresor. Montresor, the protagonist, quotes, “He has a weak point-this Fortunato-although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared’ (Poe 191).
From the beginning, Montresor uses what he can take advantage of: which is Fortunato. Montresor is disgusted how he can be subordinate to a drunken liar in the wine industry. With rage, he plots his vengeance and diminishes his rival. In the end, Fortunato is brought in by Montresor’s persuasion, which ultimately leads to his demise. Fortunato’s attire represents the irony of the story, of how Fortunato is portrayed as the great and respected wine man. However, he is truly a fool for his greed and actions, and his appearance flaunts his idiocy.
Ps, this is my post for this question...and it was by me, Allison
ReplyDelete