... the more cocky and brash of the two. His nonchalant attitude as he essentially is led to his execution sharply contrasts with Montresor's businesslike and somber attitude. As Michelle Marietta notes in her essay about death in Poe's tales, Montresor is focused to the task on hand to the point of "obsession with planning the perfect crime and equal obsession with ... that Montresor wants to make himself known to Fortunato as an "avenger" of a "wrong" (209), and also safely murder Fortunato without complication in the process. He had not before the night of his destruction, "by word or de...

• Word Count: 1679
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate