The Cask of Amontillado

"The Cask of Amontillado" is a classic revenge story where an insulted man, Montresor, exacts his vengeance upon the drunk Fortunato. Just like "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Black Cat", Poe offers the perspective to the perpetrator of the vile deed, who descends into madness with every step of his narrative. What begins like a normal wine-tasting journey is about to become a sinister plunge into oblivion, as Montresor’s insulted, yet clearly mad psyche, leads his victim to the very bowels of hell. The story has inspired numerous adaptations in terms of movies, music, stage performances, and even children books.