5 Questions
What is hyperbole?
A figure of speech that uses exaggeration to make a point
What is the hyperbolic line used by the narrator in the text?
"The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge."
Why does the hyperbolic line make the narrator less sympathetic?
Because it implies that Fortunato has not done anything deserving of such extreme revenge
What does Montresor mean when he says, 'A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser'?
It is impossible to fully right a wrong through revenge
What does the phrase 'unredressed' mean in the context of the text?
Not addressed or resolved
Study Notes
Hyperbole and Irony
- Hyperbole is a rhetorical device used to exaggerate or overstate something for emphasis or effect.
- The hyperbolic line used by the narrator in the text is an example of irony, as it contrasts with the actual events of the story.
The Narrator's Character
- The hyperbolic line makes the narrator, Montresor, less sympathetic because it reveals his exaggerated and insincere tone, implying that he is not trustworthy or morally upright.
Montresor's Quote
- When Montresor says, "A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser," he means that a wrong is not truly avenged if the person seeking revenge ultimately suffers as a consequence.
- In this context, "unredressed" means that the wrong remains unavenged or unresolved, implying that revenge is incomplete or ineffective if it ultimately leads to harm for the avenger.
Test your understanding of "The Cask of Amontillado" with this quiz on hyperbole. Analyze the first paragraph to identify the hyperbolic phrase used by the narrator and explore its effect on the reader's sympathy towards the narrator/murderer.
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