Fangarius: AHS Fangarian Edition - Poe Tales - The Cask of Amontillado Introduction

 American Horror Story – Fangarian Edition

Poe Tales – The Cask of Amontillado

Edgar Allen Poe is one of my favourite horror authors in American Literature.  Being one of the forefathers of Gothic Horror, I always loved how Poe could chill someone with Suspense and Dread, rather than just implementing Gore and Shock Value in his Tales. 

Though, of course, there were times when Poe had his gruesome moments.

Although many will immediately associate Poe with his popular accounts such as ‘The Raven,’ ‘The Tell-Tale Heart,’ and ‘The Pit and the Pendulum,’ the one which has always made an impact with me was ‘The Cask of Amontillado.’

One aspect behind this was we observe the Macabre story from the murderer’s perspective, as opposed to the typical mystery utilising the standard Investigator’s viewpoint.  Another comes from the fact this narrative does not have the murderer just kill his intended victim outright, but instead conjures forth a mechanisation against his prey, by simply using the victim’s own short-comings against him.

In this case, Montresor uses Fortunato’s arrogance and love for fine wine to lure the (presumed) Sommelier into his intricate deathtrap.  The amazing part behind this ghastly crime is, we aren’t completely aware of what Fortunato’s fate is until it is too late.  As well as the fact the tale ends without the murder being investigated, as it was later in ‘The Tell-Tale Heart.’

Strange overlooked at times, this tale has been reinvented in many ways through various mediums, including a short film starring Vincent Price and Peter Lorre, which also combined another lurid tale ‘The Black Cat,’ which also deals with the crime of Premature Burial.

So how does this relate to Fangarius and American Horror Story, you may be pondering on a midnight dreary?

Ever since American Horror Story premiered in 2011 (though I confessed I had started binge viewing it on Netflix about a year later), I had always been intrigued with each seasons theme, as well as the fact of some of the recurring actors and actresses on the programme. 

One standing out to me was Evan Peters, who has been a constant since the series premiered.  Ironically, as I was pulling up some illustrations of Fangarius for his Fortieth Anniversary, someone had commented to me how the Fourth Fanger resembles Mr. Peters.  Which would be rather improbable, since Fangarius officially debuted in 1982, whereas Fanger came out in 1977.

Interestingly enough, however, when I was giving tips on making photomanipulations with an Illustrator Program, inspired by the person’s comment, I had used Evan Peter’s image to conjure forth a photo realistic version of the Fourth Fanger.

Meanwhile, at the time I recall one of my favourite seasons of AHS was Coven, since it dealt with the realm of Witchcraft, Voodoo and other Supernatural things.  During a battle with a cold, I had envisioned an episode where Fangarius had played an intricate role in the Series.

In it, the Tombeurian (as he’s referred to in the series) decides on celebrating his birthday, by recollecting a dark memory which is connected with Poe’s ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ to the young Coven at Miss Robichaux’s Academy.

Regrettably, in the Fangarian Edition, so to speak, this Tale ends on a more abominable ending, concerning enigmatically upon the Amontillado itself than the original fate of Fortunato.

As well as proving some dark secrets should be left well undiscovered.