The Cask of Amontillado is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1846. It is a tale of revenge, murder, and deception set in an unnamed Italian city in an unspecified year. The story follows Montresor, a vengeful nobleman, as he plots to murder his former friend, Fortunato, for an unspecified insult. Montresor lures Fortunato into the catacombs beneath his palazzo with the promise of a rare wine, Amontillado. Once there, Montresor chains Fortunato to the wall and seals him in with bricks and mortar. The story ends with Montresor's triumphant declaration that no one will ever know what happened to Fortunato. The story is a classic example of Poe's use of irony and dark humor.
By Edgar Allan Poe · First published 1846 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Mystery