The Cask of Amontillado Montresor Quotes

The carnival season represents freedom. It happens just before Lent. Everybody parties during carnival to prepare for the seriousness and sacrifice of Lent. But, for Fortunato, the carnival season soon becomes the opposite of what it’s supposed to be.

At this point, Fortunato might still be free to turn back, but he is trapped be his desire for the Amontillado. We wonder what would have happened if he’d tried to leave. Would Montresor have dragged him in to the crypt anyway?

Fortunato is both trapped and freed by the drink. It frees him from his inhibitions – but this blinds him to his vulnerability, letting him move deeper and deeper into Montresor’s trap.

Fortunato has completely lost his freedom at this point. But he’s still unaware of the fact. He can’t believe Montresor would do this to him. He’s still holding out hope for the Amontillado.

Meaning, the bones covering Fortunato’s casket of despair. Montresor’s crime has gone undetected for fifty years. He’s bragging that he got away free. Or he’s confessing that he killed a man. Or possibly it’s a combination of both.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Does this just mean that they are both a bunch of drunks? Montresor’s statement about Fortunato does seem to prove true. Fortunato is sure sincere about trying to get his hands on some Amontillado. So sincere it costs him his life.

This passage suggests that the wine is giving both men courage and a sense of elation. While it seems to make Fortunato let down his guard, the wine appears to make Montresor more alert and aware.

This is a pretty obvious pun. We don’t really need foreshadowing at this point to let us know that wine, in so many ways, is leading Fortunato to his “grave.” Nor do we need to be reminded that things are getting “grave,” as in “serious.” Ironically, this “grave” pun actually lightens the mood, at least a little.

Distill means to “purify,” “condense” or “refine something.” “Rheum” has to do with mucous (and Fortunato’s cough). Montresor believes that Fortunato’s illness and his intoxication are connected. He also suggests that Fortunato’s eyes are somehow making him both drunker and even more ill.

Now Montresor is letting the truth be known. Fortunato isn’t seeing any Amontillado. Not tonight, not ever. And finally, Amontillado doesn’t sound nearly as interesting as fresh air.

At this point, both of the characters are the closest they have been to sober all night. That Montresor waits until Fortunato is sober to begin torturing him in earnest is probably one of the most terrifying aspects of this story.

This line reminds us that different cultures deal with death in different ways. Catacombs were an art form. What might be gross and scary to one culture can be beautiful and natural to another.

The jingling of the bells can also be seen as Fortunato’s last words. What do you think he’s trying to express? Jot down whatever comes in to your head.

Is weakness the same as foolishness? Some would argue that weakness and foolishness are both necessary to human survival. What would Montresor think about that idea?