How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge. (1)
It’s important to notice that Montresor wants revenge, not for his injuries, but for the insult. The word “ventured” is also interesting. It literally means “to undertake an action with knowledge that there is risk involved.” This quote suggests that Montresor thinks that Fortunato knew what he was risking, but chose to insult or betray him anyway.
Quote #2
A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. (1)
To “redress” is to “correct an error, or a fault, or an evil.” Montresor wants to correct the wrong he thinks Fortunato has done him. Montresor’s statement reflects the never-ending cycle that revenge and betrayal can become, unless the parties involved reach some sort of agreement, or one of them dies.
Quote #3
It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong. (1)
This is similar to the manner in which people are supposed to be punished after they have been found guilty through the legal process. The punishment is supposed to be severe enough that the wrongdoer is deterred from committing the crime again. Montresor perverts this principle. He becomes judge, jury and executioner, all rolled into one.
Quote #4
“Nemo me impune lacessit.” (49)
This means “no one injures me with impunity. Or, “nobody messes with me and gets away with it.” This motto can’t be the motto of the Montresor family, because it’s the motto of the Scottish Royal Coat of Arms. Montresor, who is constantly fibbing, conveniently appropriates it to make a point – a point that’s sadly lost on Fortunato.
Quote #5
I had finished a portion of the last and the eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in. (80)
The revenge is almost complete. After Montresor puts in the last brick, Fortunato will be in no position to re-revenge himself on Montresor. The brick wall also suggests the bricked up psychology of both characters. As long as that small opening remains, both characters have a chance to be free of the cycle of betrayal.
Quote #6
“Ha! ha! ha!–he! he!–a very good joke indeed–an excellent jest. We shall have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo–he! he! he!–over our wine–he! he! he!” (81)
One aspect of the revenge is almost complete. Fortunato is finally starting to feel Montresor’s wrath. Even though he’s walled in and utterly transformed by fear, he won’t verbalize it.
Quote #7
For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them. (91)
The big reveal at the end: Montresor’s revenge was successful, and he’s gone undiscovered for fifty years. Also note that it doesn’t say the bones outside of Fortunato’s crypt haven’t been disturbed at all, just that they haven’t been disturbed by ‘mortal[s]” − surely ghosts and ghouls aren’t out of the question.