The Cask of Amontilado

"The Cask of Amontillado"

My name is Monsignor Giovanni Thomasino. I have been Montressor's Priest, friend and confidant since the time he came of age. I would describe him a wealthy bachelor and quite "skilled in Italian Vintages." (161) He has always been a reserved, non-violent, patient person with an eye for details, which is why his confession came as such a surprise and utter shock to me.

In 1846, Montressor fell ill with the sweating sickness. He, as with the others afflicted with this illness would certainly perish. Montressor knew this and perhaps that is why he confided in me, to clear his conscience. A death bed confession perhaps. He began by uttering these words "[t]he thousand injuries of Fortunato I had born as best I could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge." (161) He went on to say "I must not only punish but punish with impunity." (161) I was bewildered by these statements as it was not in Montressor's character to be vengeful or violent. He continued to inform me of the vengeance he instilled on Fortunato back in the year 1796, fifty years earlier.

Knowing Fortunato "had a weak point...priding himself upon his connoisseurship in wine" (161) Montressor took full advantage of this fact. He lured him to his vaults under the guise of having a "pipe of what passed for Amontillado" (161) and wanted him to authenticate it as he had his doubts; however, "fearful of losing a bargain" (161) he bought it anyway.

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According to Montressor, Fortunato was more than happy to oblige and could barely contain his excitement at the thought of tasting such a rare vintage or perhaps it was just his inflated ego, either way he eagerly followed. Montressor contends "[w]e passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on and descending again, arrived at a crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame." (164)

Montressor confessed, Fortunato did not suspect anything, nor did he want us to retreat, not even after he saw "the walls lined with human remains, piled to the vault overhead." (164) Montressor then claims after Fortunato entered the deepest recess in the granite room, he wrapped a chain around his waist and padlocked it. Fortunato "was too much astounded to resist." (164) muttered Montressor. He then began to build a wall at the opening of the granite room with Fortunato securely chained and padlocked inside. His tone and jest suggested to me that he was satisfied that he got his revenge and nobody knew it was by his hand that Fortunato had disappeared and had not been seen nor heard from again. I was in shock and astonished by his words as I did not believe he, the man I have known for years could perform such a horrific unspeakable act.

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