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The Cask of Amontillado – Summary

Edgar Allan Poe’s Short Story about Montresor and Fortunato

Sep 9, 2007 Melissa Howard

The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe is a criminal's account of a crime committed fifty years earlier. A crime for which he was never caught but now confesses.

Cryptic Statement

The story begins with the Montresor, the narrator of the story, explaining the reason for the crime. According to Montresor, the victim, Fortunato has committed numerous injuries against him but it wasn’t until Fortunato insulted him that he vowed revenge. Montresor then makes a statement that generates much of the controversy and discussion surrounding the story. Montresor says “You, who so well know the nature of my soul.” Montresor never tells us or defines the you to whom he is speaking and many of the interpretations of the story hinge on that one cryptic statement.

Montresor never gave any indication to Fortunato that he was angry with him or that he was seeking revenge because as Montresor states, “I must not only punish, but punish with impunity.” As a result, Montresor does not let anyone including his victim realize that he is angry to the point of vengeance.

Setting the Trap

Consequently, when Montresor meets Fortunato during carnival, Fortunato has no reason not to trust the smiling Montresor. Montresor studied his enemy thoroughly and knew of his weakness for good wines. As a result, Montresor used wine to trap his victim. He mentions to Fortunato that he has acquired a cask of Amontillado but that he is unsure that it is the real deal. He bemoans the fact that he payed full Amontillado price without consulting Fortunato, thus playing on Fortunato’s pride.

Montresor then mentions that he knows that Fortunato is busy and that he is on his way to ask Luchesi to taste the wine, consequently, Fortunato’s competitive nature comes to the forefront. Fortunato claims that Luchesi knows nothing and that he is the better judge of wine. Montresor protests that Fortunato is too busy for such an errand. Montresor’s protest is designed to increase Fortunato’s anxiety to go taste the Amontillado.

Once Montresor feels that Fortunato is completely sold on the errand, he agrees to allow him to be the one to taste the wine. Before they move down the street, Montresor protects his identity by putting on a black mask and pulling a cloak around himself.

Montresor arrived home to an empty house, just as he had planned. He had told his employees that he would be gone all night and that they were not to leave the house, thus ensuring that as soon as he was out of site, they would all leave.

They make their way into Montresor’s family catacombs. The nitre lined walls causes Fortunato to cough and Montresor encourages him to forsake the errand and go home. Fortunato says that “I shall not die of a cough” to which Montresor replies with irony “True-true.”

Le Grave

As they travel deeper, they discuss Montresor’s family motto which is “Nemo me impune lacessit” which translates “No one insults me with impunity.” They drink as they go along in order to ward off the chill. The ironic name of one of the wines they imbibe is Le Grave. At one point, Fortunato asks Montresor for the sign of the masons which Montresor did not understand because he is not a mason. Then he produces his trowel, waves it at Fortunato, and thus confuses him.

When they reach the depths of the catacombs, Montresor tricks Fortunato into stepping into a small recess where he chains him to two staples in the wall and begins to wall him in. At first, Fortunato does not understand what is going on. However, he soon realizes his situation and begins to moan and test the chains. Montresor stops so that he can listen more easily to Fortunato’s dismay. When Fortunato quiets, he proceeds walling up Fortunato. At one point, he raises a torch to look inside the crypt and view his handiwork.

When the light falls on him, Fortunato begins screaming. At first Montresor is alarmed, fearing that someone will hear the cries. Then he remembers the security of his position and joins Fortunato’s yells trying to yell louder than him.

Eventually, Fortunato quiets and Montresor continues his task. Just as Montresor is about to complete the wall, Fortunato begins to laugh and make comments as if the situation were a simple prank. However, Montresor’s responses cause Fortunato to realize the sincerity of his actions. Fortunato begs for mercy “For the love of God!” but Montresor simply echoes the phrase and finishes the task. The last sound we hear from Fortunato is the jingling of his jester’s cap

Montresor finishes his account with the phrase “In pace requiescat” or “May he rest in peace.”

Find out more about Edgar Allan Poe at Suite101.

The copyright of the article The Cask of Amontillado – Summary in American Fiction is owned by Melissa Howard. Permission to republish The Cask of Amontillado – Summary in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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141 Comments

Comments

Sep 14, 2008 3:15 PM
Guest :
the ending is sad
Sep 17, 2008 3:34 AM
Guest :
whats the key quotation of this story?
Sep 17, 2008 4:13 PM
Guest :
so thats what the story was about... thank you!!!
Sep 18, 2008 2:23 AM
Guest :
I thought the story was pretty good very diffrent from others i have read.
Sep 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Guest :
HOW WOULD YOU DEFEND RAINSFORD IF HE WENT TO TRIAL FOR THE MURDERS WOULD YOU DEFEND OR CONVICT
Sep 25, 2008 6:58 PM
Guest :
I thought that the story was very suspensful and Poe makes you feel what is happening to the character
Sep 29, 2008 3:01 PM
Guest :
that helped a lot. thank you!
Sep 29, 2008 6:34 PM
Guest :
about rainsford i would convict

filthy animal


but this story was pimp
Oct 1, 2008 4:11 PM
Guest :
where does this story take place?
im doing extra credit for school and i need an answer ASAP!!!!!!
Oct 7, 2008 11:57 PM
Guest :
Great summary. Thank you!
Oct 12, 2008 10:47 AM
Guest :
what can be said for an alternate ending
Oct 13, 2008 6:25 PM
Guest :
thx for explaining - reading it in my textbook totally confused me!!
Oct 15, 2008 5:31 PM
Guest :
what is the subject matter of the story?
Oct 22, 2008 6:59 PM
Guest :
but after reading this summery it seems like even if it's end its still building suspense and its really confusing. Also i'm having some questions in my mind. If some body knows the answer please kindly help me out cause i wanna know this staff but don't write if u don't know. actually my question did fortunado take revenge for whatever montressor did with him? did he really die? did anybody able 2 help him out or did anybody able 2 save him from that place? did montrestor ever get punished 4 whatever he had done with fortunado? did montrestor feels bad or feels guilty 4 whatever he had done with fortunado.
Nov 1, 2008 5:45 PM
Guest :
I thought this story was sad and yet scary, because we can see the kind of things that went through Poe's head. I love his story's.
Nov 1, 2008 5:46 PM
Guest :
I thought this story was sad and yet scary, because we can see the kind of things that went through Poe's head. I love his story's.
Nov 4, 2008 11:17 PM
Guest :
thanx for the summary !!!!
Nov 6, 2008 7:13 AM
Guest :
wow great summary thank you!
Nov 8, 2008 12:51 AM
Guest :
good summary. It helps me alot. Thank you
Nov 8, 2008 12:34 PM
Guest :
i gota test on this story the day after today :D
Nov 8, 2008 2:05 PM
Guest :
this summary helps me a lot
thank u so much
this will help me in my book report
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Nov 10, 2008 11:58 AM
Guest :
i like it because its very desciptive. it also shows emotioins and descibes the situations surrondings and thoughts of the character's actions.
Nov 17, 2008 11:22 PM
Guest :
im not satisfied with the ending...
im confused if what are those words that have been insulted in the part of montressor????
why they end thier frindship.........?/
Nov 23, 2008 1:41 AM
Guest :
yeah nice summary?
Nov 25, 2008 12:46 PM
Guest :
i liked this story but the ending is kinda sad...poe is pretty kewl
Nov 25, 2008 1:52 PM
Guest :
thank you for the summary.
It helped me a lot for my english test.
=]
Nov 25, 2008 3:28 PM
Guest :
thank you for the summary.
It helped me a lot for my english test.
=]
Nov 27, 2008 12:00 PM
Guest :
very very helpful!!!
Dec 7, 2008 12:39 AM
Guest :
ending is not sad he got what he deserved. dont insult someone without knowing in full of the possible actions
Dec 9, 2008 8:32 AM
Guest :
thats cool
Dec 9, 2008 11:29 AM
Guest :
How would you descrbe montresor's crime in a statement using five of any of there words: accost, destined, fetter, implore, impupnity, preclude, repose, subside, termination, and virtuoso?
Dec 10, 2008 3:22 AM
Guest :
harsh ending!!!
Dec 11, 2008 10:05 PM
Guest :
Thank you! This is a very accurate summary in "normal words"!!!
Jan 3, 2009 12:10 PM
Guest :
Thanx for the summary :)
Jan 4, 2009 5:38 PM
Guest :
thank u very much for this summary....
i read it in the book and it was totally confusing..
i got it after i read this summary...
thanks for the summary...
Jan 6, 2009 3:37 AM
Guest :
damn! I hope i got it. I think its lacking. How come Fortunato didn't oppressed Montressor while he fettered him? Are people really that dumb when they're drunk?
Jan 7, 2009 1:50 AM
Guest :
...Thanks a lot...!!! I really didn't understand what the story was about then I read the summary and I FINALLY understood it..!! Arigatou!!! ^^
Jan 12, 2009 1:32 AM
Guest :
How does one come up with such a tragedy?
Wow, just wow.
Great work, as always.
Jan 12, 2009 2:31 PM
Guest :
Well i hope this makes more sense then the book because the book is just to counfusing well thanks and i appriciate your help.
Jan 19, 2009 3:12 PM
Guest :
this helped me out so much, it helped me pass my english class!, thankyouu!!!
Jan 24, 2009 4:53 AM
Guest :
it so hard to understand when I was reading it on my textbook, the story is so confusing. I don't like the story, I just need to read that because of my book report*
Feb 3, 2009 6:28 PM
Guest :
i had no idea what the story was about til i went on this website! THANK YOU!!!
Feb 5, 2009 2:01 PM
Guest :
OMGthis is like so interesting
Feb 16, 2009 11:37 AM
Guest :
Hello,

Just wanted to let you know there is a great audio version of A Cask of Amontillado at

http://www.theseanachai.com/2005/10/31/a-cask-of-amontillado/


Feb 18, 2009 10:55 AM
Guest :
What's a summary of this story?
Need help.
Please.
Feb 21, 2009 7:26 AM
Guest :
what is the climate of the story?
Feb 23, 2009 4:31 PM
Guest :
This is a very wonderful story, Edgar Allen Poe is one of the best horror writers I've ever read. He is BETTER than Steven King, and Steven King is good. This is one of the beginnings of Horror, and if you read it, the story is both mind-bottling and well wrote. Thank God Edgar had a horrible childhood, otherwise horror movies/stories may never have existed, and I'm a fan of horror. xD
Feb 23, 2009 5:33 PM
Guest :
This is a very wonderful story, Edgar Allen Poe is one of the best horror writers I've ever read. He is BETTER than Steven King, and Steven King is good. This is one of the beginnings of Horror, and if you read it, the story is both mind-bottling and well wrote. Thank God Edgar had a horrible childhood, otherwise horror movies/stories may never have existed, and I'm a fan of horror. xD
Feb 23, 2009 9:43 PM
Guest :
This really helped to better understand the story! very much so.
thank you!
Mar 10, 2009 6:15 PM
Guest :
he would not be convicted because rainsford killed him in a place nobody would ever go or want to go. nobody had a clue that rainsford was going to do that so nobody would think it was him out of all the people that were drunk at carnival. and plus who is going to look behind the bricks of a so called wall he died at?
Apr 27, 2009 11:31 AM
Guest :
I wish my english teacher had looked at this instead of printing the first one that came up on google which had spelling mistakes all over it.
Thanks for the summary.
Apr 30, 2009 12:03 PM
Guest :
Now I can make my summary!!!...thank you!
May 5, 2009 9:39 AM
Guest :
eh. i kinda get it better now. its better then reading the whole thing.
but did fortunato die???
Jun 3, 2009 1:54 PM
Guest :
thank you so much for this summary. i didnt understand it at first but after i read this i do so much. now that i understand it, i think this is a pretty good story by edgar allan poe. i've been out sick for 2 days and there was a pop quiz on this story in my english class so i'm glad i had the opportunity to read this and get a better understanding of the story before the quiz. again, thank you so much. i appreciate it.
Jul 1, 2009 6:13 AM
Guest :
Thanks for the summary.
very useful for our report.

I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!
A KISS FROM ME TO THE AUTHOR
OF THIS TEXT. :D

Baby, come back.
I love you.
I'm willing to love you again.

No, that's a lie.
I don't love you..

She loves you.
I don't.

HOPE FOR THE BEST, BUT PREPARE FOR THE WORST, BABY!
Jul 9, 2009 7:11 AM
Guest :
thank you just passed my test
Jul 16, 2009 11:08 AM
Guest :
This was very helpful. Now i understand the story completely. Thanks!
Jul 19, 2009 9:08 PM
Guest :
You are a life saver! Now I know what this story was about. I admire that you were able to understand it and post something in great detail for others, such as myself, to understand what you understood. I thank you!
Aug 4, 2009 6:11 PM
Guest :
nice story.
Aug 22, 2009 8:40 AM
Guest :
thank you!! this really helped i had to read the story and it really confused me but now i understand thank you so much!!
Sep 1, 2009 7:03 PM
Guest :
this story is confusing if you dont read it more than once
Sep 4, 2009 9:09 AM
Guest :
i think that was a good reason to get him back in a way but the ending was sad..
Sep 6, 2009 11:09 AM
Guest :
i was confused at first but i tottally get it! i wonder if fortunato really insulted montresor and if he did it couldnt be that bad to get revenge on someone by killing them but its stupid cuz montresor was caught 50 years later!watever i think its a good story i just have lots of question!
Sep 7, 2009 4:15 PM
Guest :
damn this was so much easier 4 me! i understood every single word!!!


Sep 8, 2009 3:42 PM
Guest :
Yeah, this story didn't make any sense until I read this. :)
Sep 8, 2009 5:34 PM
Guest :
man dis story is confusing but hey ur summary waz da bomb
Sep 9, 2009 8:27 AM
Guest :
What was found in the vault
Sep 10, 2009 6:58 PM
Guest :
THNK GOD 4 THS SUMMARY..... i wudnt hav gottn it othrwise... seems lik old authors ddnt evr speak normally but guud story newayz : ))
Sep 14, 2009 2:44 AM
Guest :
to be insulted is hard for a person. So, have revenge by beauty and in soul but dont forget to smile after then wrap your anger i love having revenge to others because it makes my self comfortable just like i revenge my friend because she bacbite me and insult me in the front of many people so in that time revenge her is the only way to hurt her because she let me feel insult & draging me down but after theh i feel consiensed but as i observed theirs no reasonto feel that way revenge,revenge, revenge, revenge, REVENGE!!!!!!!
Sep 14, 2009 3:43 PM
Guest :
thanks!!!!
i forgot my book at school
you totally saved me!!!!!
plus, you make it seem less confusing
i get it now!!!!
:)
Sep 14, 2009 6:44 PM
Guest :
THANK YOU!!!! I COULDNT UNDERSTAND THIS STORY TO SAVE MY LIFE!!!!!
Sep 21, 2009 5:06 PM
Guest :
thanxs! hmw!! had to read and i didnt understand it!¬¬ hahaha!
Sep 23, 2009 1:46 PM
Guest :
My teacher read thi to us in class, an it SUCKED ! I didn't understand it at all !
Sep 23, 2009 2:58 PM
Guest :
Thank you soooo much! I actually know what was going on now.
Sep 23, 2009 5:37 PM
Guest :
it seems many are still wondering whether fortunado died or not. The jingling of his hat was made after Montressor threw his torch to see what was happening to fortunado. the torch landed on his hat which was lying on the floor signaling that fortunado is dead.
Sep 24, 2009 10:40 AM
Guest :
I loved the book read it 700 times
Sep 24, 2009 2:06 PM
Guest :
Wow, that helped a lot ... Thanks!!
Sep 24, 2009 5:29 PM
Guest :
is monstresort the short one?
Sep 24, 2009 8:21 PM
Guest :
All these short stories seem to end in a sad ending... But all these author's are geniuses.

Good Job on the summary.
Also, Montresor and Fortunato are not friends O.O I saw someone was sad that they ended their friendship? Lol Montresor hated Fortunato
Sep 28, 2009 5:56 PM
Guest :
Great summary! Thanks for the help
Sep 28, 2009 7:31 PM
Guest :
good story=) thanks for the summary. -unknown!!!!
Sep 29, 2009 10:41 AM
Guest :
well that for sure helped me out with an understanding of this particular story, thank you!
Sep 29, 2009 3:24 PM
Guest :
Wow! thanks for the summary the original i had to read for homework was confusing. thanks for interpreting it for me. Man, this story isnt that bad considering the Tell Tale Heart. PPL NEVER READ THAT STORY, THE TELL TALE HEART. the ending is WAY worse and creepy than this story. The tell tale heart makes this story seem like a fairytale. well, at least i think so.
Sep 29, 2009 3:29 PM
Guest :
Thanxs this summary of "The Cask of Amontillado" really disribed the story very well. Thanxs!!
Oct 1, 2009 7:48 AM
Guest :
this summary really helped me for a quiz
Oct 1, 2009 8:59 PM
Guest :
This was quite the awesome summary! VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV!!!
Oct 3, 2009 1:17 PM
Guest :
THis had such a sad ending.
Oct 4, 2009 6:55 PM
Guest :
thankyou so much i didnt get the story at all lol
Oct 5, 2009 12:28 PM
Guest :
Thanks alot for the summary. it really helped me understand the story and now i am sure i will pass my quiz. lol
Oct 5, 2009 8:20 PM
Guest :
Thank you SOOOOO MUCH! I read this story about 4 times thoroughly and i still had no clue what it was about. I really understand it now :)
Oct 6, 2009 6:19 PM
Guest :
this story shows two things

1. Poe was a genius

2. Poe was also a cruel loser
Oct 6, 2009 6:57 PM
Guest :
that helped me so much
Oct 7, 2009 6:03 PM
Guest :
sweet
Oct 8, 2009 3:16 PM
Guest :
i have to write the ending from fortunato's point of veiw. sadly i wasnt at school when they read this, and even after reading the summary im kind of confused.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
you can aslo email me- yessiritsmatt08@aol.com
Oct 11, 2009 5:48 PM
Guest :
umm, wow. edgar allan poe has a complex vocabulary. i didnt understand this storry at all before i read this summary. lol. and i read the storry three times. thanks so much! now i have a paper on it... grr.
(: thanks again!!!
-bryce.
Oct 12, 2009 7:32 PM
Guest :
WOW i didnt even understand it at all the first time i read the story. I feel like an idiot =/
Oct 20, 2009 2:50 PM
Guest :
Didn't get this story at all when I first read it. This really helped. Thanks a lot!
Oct 20, 2009 4:25 PM
Guest :
Rainsford is in a different story. that would be " A Most Dangerous Game" which is also a good story. The prosecution is obvious. rainsford is murdering people for his own pleasure. the defense would be tricky. it would be that he gives them a chance to escape which he believes is right. or that he is innocent due to insanity
Oct 23, 2009 9:26 AM
Guest :
beatiful summary genious
Oct 23, 2009 3:11 PM
Guest :
i still dont get this story u suck at summaring!!!!!! i hate u!!!!
Oct 28, 2009 7:03 PM
Guest :
you know what's sad?? the adding and subtracting
am i an idiot or something
anyways
thank you author of this summary
you rock!!!!
ignore the negative person though
Oct 29, 2009 3:45 PM
Guest :
that was sad! I cried and am now scared to insult anyone!
Nov 2, 2009 4:38 PM
Guest :
i love Poe. i remember reading this story in 5th grade. i only understood half of it though. and now i have to write a 15-20 page essay on him this help alot. tjis one of my favorite stories/poems from Poe. i also love the Tell Tale Heart, Black Cat, and The Raven. I LoVE you Poe!!! <3
Nov 3, 2009 2:31 PM
Guest :
omg this is so lame but o'well its kinda intresting i only read it cus i had to in my english class i coudn't understand it at all at 1st but when i read the summarry it was like so ovious haha so yea read it its okayy i guess.:)
Nov 3, 2009 3:36 PM
Guest :
thanks for the summary; only thing i hate from Poe is that i never get to understand his stories xD but they are good...
thanks again(:
Nov 8, 2009 3:29 PM
Guest :
pretty goood book. the beginning was slow and the plot was hard to understand
Nov 25, 2009 6:30 AM
Guest :
what would you put for your point of view of fortunato at the end of this???
Nov 30, 2009 5:09 PM
Guest :
Thank You!!!! now hopefully i'll pass english.
Nov 30, 2009 5:18 PM
Guest :
thanksss! this should help me onmy critical lense ;)
Dec 1, 2009 7:29 PM
Guest :
Thanks! That helps a lot! Now I understand the story. The text was very confusing. Thanks for posting this!
Dec 10, 2009 4:52 PM
Guest :
I think this article was amazing. It really helped me understand the story. WHo would the protagonist and antagonist be? What would their goals be? What is the problem? What is the theme?
What are the Rising Actions? What is the climax? What is the solution? If you guyz can help me with that, I will love you for it!!! Its for school and I need help!! Thanx Guys! =)
Dec 14, 2009 10:01 AM
Guest :
now i understand about this story. thankkk uuu><
Dec 15, 2009 8:50 PM
Guest :
whats the plot of the story?
Dec 19, 2009 7:42 AM
Guest :
thank you very much
great great summary
Jan 7, 2010 8:11 AM
Guest :
this summary really helped me on my test thank you for writting this
Jan 7, 2010 3:17 PM
Guest :
dusnt answr mii questun
Jan 10, 2010 10:07 AM
Guest :
good story. i guess
Jan 12, 2010 4:56 AM
Guest :
woooooooooooooooooooow
Jan 12, 2010 5:00 AM
Guest :
love it! :)
Jan 12, 2010 6:44 AM
Guest :
It doesn't give me the explanation (BUT) very good work i got 95% in my Literature test !! =D Thnx !!!
Jan 12, 2010 6:41 PM
Guest :
thanks alot was very helpful
Jan 12, 2010 8:35 PM
Guest :
that helped a lot, i didn't understand the ending when i read the when i read the whole thing!
Jan 14, 2010 3:24 PM
Guest :
i still think this story is complicated.
Jan 17, 2010 11:37 AM
Guest :
This was a good article but the book ts self was very confusing to me!!!
Jan 17, 2010 4:19 PM
Guest :
This article help me understand the story alot!( :
Jan 18, 2010 4:37 PM
Guest :
this helped me understand so much! great article (: !
Jan 19, 2010 6:30 AM
Guest :
THAT WAS THE GREATEST SHORT STORY I'VE EVER READ!!!!!
Jan 19, 2010 6:31 AM
Guest :
OMG THIS STORY WAS SO AMAZING IT BLEW MY MIND!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 19, 2010 6:33 AM
Guest :
THAT WAS AN AMAZING STORY, EH
Jan 19, 2010 6:33 AM
Guest :
WOW
Jan 20, 2010 2:27 AM
Guest :
this wud really make a great help for our presentation ! ! thank you so much ! !



?LaRa?
Jan 20, 2010 6:48 PM
Guest :
beastly story
Jan 21, 2010 4:32 PM
Guest :
Thanks a lot. This article makes Poe's story a lot clearer. It took me until now to find out that Amontillado was a wine!
Jan 25, 2010 1:37 PM
Guest :
Any thoughts on the setting and irony within the story?
Jan 31, 2010 12:47 PM
Guest :
I just read the short story in my literature book and had a little difficutly trusting myself on what was going on...but I was right. The summary definitly cleared up some iffy points though. And the part where he says that he is not going to die from a cough is just classic. Thanks for the summary.
Jan 31, 2010 5:00 PM
Guest :
Thanks this helped me allot, my English exam is tomorrow.
Feb 1, 2010 9:48 PM
Guest :
The summary was very helpful. I just read it out of my book, and couldn't understand what was even going on. Thank you, sites like this help me in class alot!!!!
Feb 2, 2010 6:19 AM
Guest :
thank you so much this is going to help me get a 100 in this easy class!
Feb 3, 2010 8:59 AM
Guest :
i love this story!
Feb 4, 2010 5:12 AM
Guest :
thank you!! the actual story was so hard to follow
Feb 9, 2010 1:58 PM
Guest :
i think that the book is stupid and does not make since, its a waste of your time
141 Comments

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