1. Why did Montresor seek revenge on Fortunato?
2. How did Montresor know that the house would be empty?
3. Where had the stone and mortar, used by Montresor to wall up the entrance to the niche, been hidden?
4. Where and when is the story set? Give reasons for your answer.
5. Why does Montresor make sure Fortunato has drunk a lot of wine?
6. What is Luchresi’s role in the story?
7. What preparations had Montressor made for his revenge?
8. Why does Montresor appear concerned about Fortunato’s health?
9. How many injuries has the narrator ‘permitted’ from Fortunato?
10. Poe always liked to do things “at length”. The same is true with the narrator in this story. He knows of Fortunato’s weakness and uses it to his advantage. What is this weakness?
11. When the narrator first saw Fortunato at the carnival, what was his condition?
12. As soon as the narrator sees Fortunato, he tells him that he has received “a pipe for what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts”. Who does the narrator suggest that he is going to see to find out if the wine is genuine?
13. The narrator’s vaults were very damp due to the fact that they were encrusted with what?
14. What is the motto of the Montresor family? Translate it into English
15. As the two men were walking down into the vault, Montresor stated that the cask was in a cave at the end of the vault. Fortunato is still completely drunk. What does Montresor do to keep Fortunato in the cave of the vault?
16. How long has it been that no one has disturbed Fortunato’s bones?