In each of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories, “The Tell-Tale Heart”, “The Fall of the House of Usher”, and “The Cask of Amontillado”, Poe writes each main character with different personalities although some similar traits can be found in all his main characters. The way they react to other people and their own actions differ with each personality that Poe gives them.

In the story “The Tell-Tale Heart” the narrator is the main character. He starts off the story by convincing the reader he is not a madman. Insanity is one personality trait that is usually linked to all Poe characters. What makes this character insane is the motive behind his murder plot of an old man. His only motive he gives is the old man’s eye, “I think it was his eye!-Yes, it was this!” (Poe pg. 727). In the quote given before the narrator uses the phrase “I think” not fully knowing without a doubt the old man’s eye was his real reason for committing murder. He convinces himself that the old man’s eye is why he feels he must kill him. This character has linked all his hatred toward the man’s eye as an excuse for murder, but one imperfection does not justify death. I

Murder is another reoccurring theme in the story “The Cask of Amontillado”. In this story Montressor has vowed revenge on Fortunato resulting in his death. The motive is presented clearly, but the justification of murder is different than that of “The Tell-Tale Heart.” “A wrong is undressed when retribution overtakes its redresser”(Poe pg. 744). This statement by Montressor blames revenge for his actions, rather than looking at himself first. This trait was also present in “The Tell-Tale Heart” the only difference is Montressor links his actions to revenge rather than an object or an “eye”. Both characters had well planned murder plots in each story. Supporting the reoccurring trait of detailed and meticulous characters. In both stories they refer to their murder victims as friends. This is another instance of the main characters convincing themselves they are overall good. Montressor in “The Cask of Amontillado” also has a difficult time in dealing with his conscience after the murder. “My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so”(Poe pg. 748). Here, Montressor convinces himself the environment is why he feels this way, not letting his conscience get to him as it did to the narrator in “The Tell-Tale Heart”. Both characters hide their victims well. This is a result of the reoccurring theme of hiding in the place of confrontation. Both characters take it upon themselves to commit murder and hide the bodies rather than confronting their foes. Confrontations do not come easily for any of Poe’s characters. They all seem not able to deal with society in traditional methods so they kill and cover up and believe the incident will just go away. It is ironic in both stories that the characters can devise a well-organized murder, but cannot take the same

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