An Eye for An Eye

An Eye for An Eye

“An eye for an eye” (Exodus 21:24).   A common phrased uttered by many today, but written over three thousand years ago.   Edgar Allan Poe was one of the many that uttered a version of this phrase in his story A Cask of Amontillado.   “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had bore as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.”   Throughout the story, we do not know how Montresor was insulted, but it his was enough to cause a need for revenge.
Montresor planned his revenge perfectly, using steps that may have taken months to establish.   He spent a lot of time plotting his trap.   It was not an act of insanity, or of quick thinking.   ”…neither by word nor deep had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will.”, “…I continued…to smile in his face…”   He had to observe Fotunato, and pretends to be a loyal friend, to his worst enemy.   Montresor sought after his revenge for a long time, and knew his dedication and patience would pay off.  
Montresor waited for Fortunato to be at his weakest point.   He decided to strike at the “supreme madness” of the carnival.   Fortunato already had enough drinks to impair his judgment, dressed like a jest, greeting Montresor with “excessive warmth”.   This was a great time to act, due to the fact Fortunato was drunk, no one would even miss them while they were gone.   Montresor took full advantage of this situation; he knew Fortunato, a wine connoisseur, would follow him if promised a rare sherry, “Amontillado”.
He started by toying with his prey, proposing a toast as Fortunato drank more wine; “And I to your long life.”   Montresor played with his mind using reverse psychology, telling him that maybe we should go back because of Fortunato’s cough, even though he knew Fortunato would want a taste of this sweet wine.   In the end, as he was ‘laying the last bricks’ of his scheme, burying Fortunato alive, Poe writes, “My heart grew sick - on account of the dampness of the...