In Edgar Allan Poe's "A Cask of Amontillado," the narrator, Montresor, executes deadly revenge upon his friend, Fortunato. Appealing to Fortunato's confidence as a wine connoisseur, Montresor lures him away from a carnival celebration to his family crypt. Montresor leads unsuspecting Fortunato deeper and deeper into the dank crypt, eventually chaining him to the wall. As Montresor begins to brick Fortunato into the wall, his victim first thinks it is a prank, but by the time the wall is nearly finished, Fortunato realizes his fate. The short story ends with the narrator boasting that his crime has remained undiscovered for fifty years. Upon first glance, Montresor, the protagonist, appears murderous and psychopathic. A deeper look at this complex character reveals him as obsessive and insecure. But none of these assessments describe the essence of Montresor; his defining characteristic is, in fact, narcissism. He wasn't satisfied to have Fortunato killed; he had to do the deed himself, and with style. He experiences much pleasure when he reflects on…show more content… Every detail was designed so that Montresor would end up alone with his victim: the anonymous circumstance of their meeting at carnival, Fortunato's vulnerable mental state, the absence of household attendants, the seclusion of the final destination, and the willingness of Fortunato to fall for the ploy. When all the pieces fall into place, Montresor basks in his success even as his friend struggles to escape, "The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labors and sat down upon the bones" (19). And shortly thereafter, "I placed my hand upon the solid fabric of the catacombs, and felt satisfied" (19). The causes for Montresor's revelling were all centered on himself. It was his plan which he was executing, which was successful because of his actions, and he alone was there to enjoy
