Final answer:
Montresor should not have killed Fortunato in 'The Cask of Amontillado' because murder as a form of revenge is unethical and illegal, and the ambiguity of Fortunato's insult undermines any justification for such an extreme act.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Edgar Allan Poe's story The Cask of Amontillado, Montresor should not have killed Fortunato. Even though revenge is a common theme in literature, murder is an extreme response that cannot be condoned. The act of vengeance described in the story is highly disproportionate to the alleged insults Montresor endured from Fortunato. Montresor’s methodical planning and execution of the crime suggest premeditation and cruelty, rather than justice. Ethics and morality dictate that taking another person's life in vengeance is wrong, and legal systems across the world uphold that individuals should not take justice into their own hands. Furthermore, Poe leaves readers with ambiguous details regarding the nature of Fortunato’s insult, which undermines any justification Montresor might have for such a heinous act. This unresolved ambiguity further distances the reader from sympathizing with Montresor’s cruel revenge.