A Study in the Art of Revenge

 What does the speaker feel toward his foe?  What words does the narrator use to convey his feelings?  What tone comes through in this poem? What attitude does the narrator have toward his foe and to his plan.

I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I water’d it in fears, Night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with my smiles And with soft deceitful wiles. And it grew both day and night, Till it bore an apple bright; And my foe beheld it shine, And he knew that it was mine— And into my garden stole When the night had veil’d the pole; In the morning glad I see My foe outstrech’d beneath the tree.

I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I water’d it in fears, Night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with my smiles And with soft deceitful wiles. And it grew both day and night, Till it bore an apple bright; And my foe beheld it shine, And he knew that it was mine— And into my garden stole When the night had veil’d the pole; In the morning glad I see My foe outstrech’d beneath the tree.

No one wounds me with impunity

Fortunato’s Outfit The Montressor Family Crest The Weblike Nitre on the Walls

Fortunato’s Name Montressor’s behavior toward Fortunato Montressor’s instructions to his servants He (Luchesi) is an ignoramus Montressor’s reaction to his crime.

 Compare and contrast how the main character of “The Cask of Amontillado” and the speaker of “A Poison Tree” feel about anger and revenge. In your response, you should include the following:  Describe how the narrator feels in the beginning of the story and how, even in his re-telling, he reveals his true character.  Describe how the speaker feels at the beginning of the poem as compared to the end.  How does the author’s word choice in each affect characterization?