The perfect crime cannot be committed if the mind behind it is imperfect. Montresor relies not on his brute strength, but his intelligence to exact his revenge. Fortunato’s weakness is easily exploited and Montresor uses this knowledge to manipulate him. When attempting to lure Fortunato into the catacombs, Montresor says, “AS you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchresi. If any one has a critical turn it is he” (220). While Fortunato responds, “’Luchresi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry… come let us go”(220). Montresor is showing little acceptance of Fortunato’s ability in such a way that his victim insists on being led into the trap. Once inside the catacombs, Montresor reveals his “weapon” to Fortunato without any hesitation. With the mention of the masons, and their symbol,

Beneath intelligence, looming in the same area of a murderer is heartlessness. A sense that what is to be done is the correct course of action. Montresor’s brutality displays a characteristic of muddling what is right and wrong. Montresor shows no pity towards his victim, and in some way, revels in the power that he is granted by the homicide. He takes pleasure in the psychological pain that is being pressed upon Fortunato. When Fortunato begins to scream Montresor responds as such, “I replied to the yell of him who clamoured, I reechoed, I aided, I surpassed them in volume and in strength. I did this, and the clamour grew still”(224). Montresor takes pleasure in the screams of his friend, he enjoys out screaming him, knowing that he wins in every game he plays. He is twisted in this manner. Even at the end, when it is clear to Fortunato that his fate is sealed, he calls out to Montresor, “’Let us be gone.’ ‘Yes,’ I said, ‘Let us be gone.’ ‘For the love of God, Montresor!’ ‘Yes,’ I said, ‘for the love of God’”(224). It’s with these parting words that the reader is shown the true cruelty of Montresor. He isn’t content to just scare his friend, he allows his friend to die, a

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