What is Cask of Amontillado all about?
“The Cask of Amontillado” (sometimes spelled “Casque of Amontillado”) is a short story, written by Edgar Allan Poe and published in 1846. It is set in 19th century Italy and concerns the deadly revenge taken by the narrator on a friend whom he claims has insulted him. Like several of Poe’s stories, and in keeping with the 19th century fascination with the subject, the narrative revolves around a person being buried alive. As in The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart, Poe tells the story from the murderer’s point of view. Summary Montresor tells the story of the night, half a century before, that he took his revenge on Fortunato, an Italian nobleman. Angry over some unspecified insult, he plots to murder his friend, then finds the perfect opportunity to carry out his plan when he finds him drunk and wearing motley at the carnival. He baits Fortunato by telling him he has obtained, out of season, what he believes to be a pipe of Amontillado (a Spanish sherry); he isn’t sure, however, and
