i've been looking at cask because my teacher said there were two double entendres. the mason i understand, but I'm not really sure of 'for the love of god'

one i assume is asking for mercy and Montressor's reply is mocking, but what is a better explanation of Montressor?

thanks

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2002

Answers

Full of ironies. Every reply by Montresor contains a cruel, mocking reference. The tone of "For the love of God!" might be spoken as if implying "For the love of God, shut up." Which he does, but that cannot be clear. Only the echo conversation has at last come to an end. When he awaits a reply, expecting pleas or arguments to mock he repeats "Fortunato?" twice. Is he fortunately dead? The jingles indicate not. The light goes out, the wall is finished and the secret remains. In another respect Montresor acts like God and is successful in his judgment, unlike the murderers in The Black Cat or the TellTale Heart. His honor, as in Godwin's "Caleb Williams" is the nobleman's God for which he punishes, kills and covers up?

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2002