The tale begins during carnival season where we are introduced to Montressor. Montressor is upset because another man, Fortunato has insulted him obliging Montressor to avenge his honor. Fortunato believes that his “connoisseurship in wine” is far more developed than Luchesi's and Montresor's. For example, Montressor offered to take his business to Luchesi because Fortunato appeared to be pre engaged with enjoying himself within “the supreme madness of the carnival.” However, Fortunato replied, “ ‘Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry.” Montressor, “That his taste is a match for your own.” "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best as I could, but when he went upon insult I vowed revenge." However, he does so in a most cunning way. Montressor pretends friendship and offers a very drunk Fortunato a very rare type of sherry wine that he has in his

In the very back part of the wine cellars, Montressor guides the very inebriated Fortunato, looking for the cask of rare sherry called Amontillado. Montressor gives Fortunato many opportunities to leave. Fortunato seems weak against the nitre growing on the walls, and coughs repeatedly. When Fortunato leans against the wall to get his balance, Montressor chains Fortunato to the wall. As Fortunato stands there in a drunken stupor, Montressor begins to wall him in alive. As Fortunato begins to sober up and realize what is going on he begins to scream.

This is not evident, however, in Montressor's actions. He has had to plan this at least a day or so in advance so as to make certain that the servants are away for a few days or more. Therefore, though he acts on his thoughts of revenge, he does not contemplate that there are any repercussions that will arise out of this action.

That Poe had a terrible childhood is well known so perhaps he attributed his childhood woes to his father and sought to take out some of his revenge in this short story. This could be why the issue of revenge is so strong in this story and why it serves as a great example of it. Ultimately, Montressor learns that his victory has been a hollow one.

In a research study about the factors that lead to acts of revenge, University of Arkansas psychologists tested a number of volunteers. What they concluded was that “subjects who devoted conscious thought to the outcome … seemed less inclined to exact revenge when presented with an opportunity to do so. "

Fortunato has a bad cough and so, on their way to the wine cellar, Montressor gives Fortunato "De Grave" (of the grave) wine to drink. There is a bit of foreshadowing that occurs at this point when Fortunato forgets what Montressor's coat of arms stands for. With a sartorial grin, Montressor replies that the motto is, "Nemo me impune lacessit", which means "no one insults me without being punished."

Additionally, they discovered that situations sometimes acerbate feelings of revenge. This is exactly the case with Montressor. His family name and his honor have been impugned in a very public way. The quality of the relationship between Montressor and Fortunato had not been one of any closeness, either, which is another factor that the researchers state contributes to act

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