Summary The Cask of Amontillado

This short story narrates a tale of revenge by Montresor after being insulted by his friend, Fortunato. Set from an Italian background and in what seems like an underground cave, the narrator revolves around a form of imprisonment by starvation which eventually results to execution. Told in first-person narrator, Edgar Allan Poe tells of how Fortunato's likeness for wine is used against him.

The narrator begins by expressing his anger twards Fortunato. He goes on to say how he has endured all the injuries his friend has caused him and how long he has tolerated him. This gets worse and he is finally fed up by an insult, which he vows to avenge. Taking advantage of Fortunato's addiction for wine, he entices him by the mention of Amontillado. He claims to be in possession of the wine but needs someone to verify its originality. His friend, who sounds drunk, then expresses interest in doing so.

Montresor then leads him to a catacomb, which is supposedly the storage location of the wine. As they walk down deeper into the underground cave, he keeps Fortunato drunk. At some point, Fortunato begins to cough and Montresor suggests they go back but he is too stubborn to divert his focus from the Amontillado.

Finally, he is led into a deep crypt with a hole on the wall lined with human remains and emitting a foul smell. Montresor chains his friend to that hole and begins covering him up with bricks. Fortunato, on coming to terms with what is happening, sobers up and cries for help. This falls on deaf ears. As if that is not enough, Montresor mocks him in the process by repeating his last words. He then fits the last stone and leaves him for dead.

As the story ends, we are quite convinced that Montresor will never be caught. He plans and executes his plan with no loophole. In the beginning, Montresor offers to let Luchesi taste his wine if Fortunato is busy knowing that he will not let his competitor do so. Furthermore, he insists to be taken to the vaults. It is no coincidence that Montresor sends his servants to the carnival in the process eliminating any possible witnesses. On the way down, he hands a drink to Fortunato to make him more drunk and eventually weak thus offering very little resilience. Montresor also carries along a trowel that is interpreted which is a sign of the Masonic faith. He plans to use it accomplish his mission.