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Amontillado

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Montresor is the narrator who openly starts the story by stating that he has been insulted by his associate, Fortunato, and that he’s seeking for revenge. He wants to perfectly plan this revenge, however, in a measured way, without placing himself at risk. He decides to use Fortunato’s affection for wine against him. During the carnival season, while wearing a black mask, Montresor approaches Fortunato. He then tells Fortunato that he has gained something that can pass for Amontillado. Fortunato (Italian for “fortunate”) is wearing the costume of the jester, including a cone cap with bells. Montresor tells Fortunato that if he is unavailable then he will ask someone else (his name was Luchesi) to taste it. Fortunato realizes that Luchesi is supposedly a contender and so he claims that this man (Luchesi) could not possibly tell Amontillado from other types of sherry. Fortunato is anxious and curious to taste the fine wine and also to figure out for Montresor whether or not it is truly …show more content…

Now that they are alone both plunge into the soggy vaults, which are covered with saltpeter, nitre, and a whitish mineral. Apparently bothered by the nitre, Fortunato starts coughing. Montresor keeps trying to convince Fortunato to go back home, but Fortunato refuses, knowing how much Fortunato wants to taste that wine so instead, he is convinced that the wine will be the cure to his cough. The men continue to explore the deep vaults, in which they are entirely filled of dead bodies from Montresor’s family. In return to the catacombs, Fortunato supposedly claims to have forgotten Montresor’s family escutcheon and aphorism. Montresor replies that his family armor illustrates “a huge human foot d’or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel.” The aphorism (Latin) is “nemo me impune lacessit,” that is, “no one attacks me with

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