The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge.
The story begins with a very explicit portrait about the main character (Montresor’s) thoughts over his hatred and revenge towards Fotunato, his “friend”.
“It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend”
The story positions us in an atmosphere where the air of Carnival is breathed, because of it Fortunate wears a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells and is very drunk when Fortunate meets him.
Montresor starts the conversation with his friend telling him that he has bought a cask of amontillado and this seems to, in great measure, surprise and excite his friend, who is previously positioned as a good wine taster.
“I must not only punish but punish with impunity.”
He wants to exact this revenge, however, in a measured way, without placing himself at risk. He decides to use Fortunato's fondness for wine against him.
It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.
Knowing that no one will be there, all coldly calculated by Montresor, this calmly, busy with torches, leads his friend through the deep catacombs
“His eyes flashed with a fierce light. / ''at length I would be avenged''; he is determined to. not only punish, but punish with impunity.
Seeing his state of health, Montresor increasingly manipulates his friend: Come we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it doesn't matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I can not be responsible. Going down more and more, giving more liquor to his friend, Montresor sarcastically mocks what promptly awaits his friend and toast calmly: ... to your long life.