The thing that gives a hint of what could have been and the insult is when Fortunato asks, “I have forgotten your weapons” (Poe 167). This is an insult to his family crest by saying it is not important enough to remember. The arm is “A huge foot of gold, in a field of blue; the foot crushes a rampant serpent whose fangs are embedded in the heel” (Poe 167). Fortunato also adds to this “And the motto?” (Poe 167) The motto helps us understand why he kills Fortunato. The motto is “Nemo me impune lacessit” (Poe 167). this translates into the fact that no one provokes me with impunity. Like Patrick White