A Pipe of What Passes for Amontillado

Summary:

During the din of the carnival season, the protagonist, Montressor, decides to avenge his honor after receiving insult from Fortunato. Feigning outward congeniality toward his enemy, Montressor shrugs off numerous insults from the drunken Fortunato, inviting Fortunato to his home to sample "a pipe of what passes for Amontillado," an exquisite and rare sherry. Fortunato, the consummate connoisseur, guilelessly accepts Montressor's offer. Hastily the couple make for Montressor's vaults.

Having planned all details of his revenge, Montressor has given instructions to his servants not to leave their duties for the duration of his long absence; as carnival is in full swing, the servants naturally take the opportunity to vacate the house immediately.

Montressor leads the inebriated Fortunato into the bowels of the family crypts, all the while giving Fortunato more to drink, ostensibly to help Fortunato's oppressive cough. Again, Fortunato insults Montressor by forgetting Montressor's arms and motto. Obliging Fortunato, Montressor states his motto: "Nemo me impune lacessit," which means literally, "No one attacks me with impunity."

Upon finally reaching the termination of the vaults, Montressor invites the now quite plastered Fortunato to precede him into the tiny niche wherein lies the phantom cask. Fortunato complies, and upon striking the far end of the darkened recess, stands dumbfounded for long enough to allow Montressor to shackle him to the wall.

Immediately, Montressor begins to wall up the alcove, allowing Fortunato to slowly gain his senses and realize the stupidity of his actions. Upon the wall reaching breast level, Fortunato begins to shriek uncontrollably. Momentarily unnerved, Montressor thinks to end the life of his enemy immediately, but, satisfied with the inculpability of his crime and the utter hideousness with which it will torture Fortunato, Montressor decides simply to scream back at his foe, and drown out any of Fortunato's hope of escape with his own hideous howls.

Before placing the final stone into place, Montressor thrusts his torch into the tiny remaining aperture, and is answered