The Cask of Amontillado Summary

In "The Cask of Amontillado," the story takes place during a lively carnival in Italy, where the narrator, Montresor, plans to get revenge on his friend Fortunato. Montresor believes Fortunato has deeply insulted him and seeks to settle the score. With careful planning, Montresor lures Fortunato into a dark, hidden space below his home.

Montresor finds Fortunato dressed as a jester, enjoying the festive atmosphere. He pretends to offer Fortunato a rare wine, Amontillado. To make it intriguing, Montresor claims to be unsure if the wine is genuine. Fortunato, a proud wine expert, becomes eager to taste it, especially after drinking other wines that night. Montresor then mentions Luchesi, another wine expert, implying he may consult him instead. This suggestion annoys Fortunato, fueling his competitive spirit, making him want to join Montresor.

As they proceed deeper into the cold catacombs beneath the palazzo, Fortunato coughs repeatedly from the damp air. Montresor feigns concern, offering him wine to help, while secretly enjoying Fortunato's discomfort. Montresor’s servants were told to remain home, ensuring they can explore the catacombs undisturbed. Confidently, he leads Fortunato onward, eager to finalize his ill-planned revenge.

The pair descends further into the catacombs. Despite the unpleasant conditions, Fortunato’s desire for the Amontillado drives him forward, unhindered by the cold. The carnival's excited revelry cheers him, and Montresor carefully exploits Fortunato's pride and inebriation. In this rising madness of plans, the trap closes around Fortunato, though he remains unaware of Montresor's sinister intent.

Eventually, Montresor takes Fortunato into a small alcove. Once there, Montresor lashes Fortunato with chains, revealing his dark plan. A trowel appears from beneath Montresor's cloak, and he begins enclosing Fortunato within the wall of the niche itself using bricks. Fortunato initially laughs, thinking it a harmless prank, but his laughter turns to horror as he finally understands the dire situation.

As Fortunato realizes he is being walled in alive, he pleads for release, his voice tinged with desperation. Montresor, however, remains unmoved, callously continuing to seal the wall around him. Despite Fortunato's desperate attempts and nervous pleas, Montresor’s resolve only strengthens. Soon, the wall is complete, leaving Fortunato encased in darkness.

In the chilling conclusion, Montresor states that it has been fifty years since this event occurred, and no one has disturbed Fortunato’s remains. The way Montresor recounts the tale reveals his complete lack of guilt, opening up possibilities of his sanity and satisfaction with the grim act. Thus, the story showcases a twisted tale of vengeance during the backdrop of carnival, leading to Fortunato's horrifying fate, forever imprisoned beneath the city's surface.

In the chilling conclusion of The Cask of Amontillado, Montresor completes his revenge against Fortunato by walling him into a small space in the catacombs beneath his home. After ensnaring Fortunato and confining him with chains, Montresor carefully builds a wall of bricks and mortar. Fortunato’s desperate screams and pleas for mercy echo within the darkness, but Montresor shows no signs of hesitation as he seals his fate.

As Montresor finishes the wall, he reflects on the satisfaction of his act without any regret. The story closes with Montresor revealing that this horrific event took place fifty years ago. His implication is chilling: Fortunato has remained trapped and unseen all this time. To drive home the chilling finality of his action, Montresor ends with a Latin phrase signifying "rest in peace," solidifying the extent of his dark revenge, and leaving readers with a sense of dread about the consequences of betrayal.