The Revenge of the Barrel of AmontilladoSet in an unspecified Italian city and in an unidentified year, The Barrel of Amontillado is a tale that revolves primarily around revenge. Written by renowned literary expert Edgar Allan Poe, the story centers on the narrator who is determined to take revenge on a friend who has caused him great pain. The author introduces readers to the narrator known as Montresor when he is speaking to an unknown audience. During the discussion with the unknown audience, Montresor testifies that Fortunato, his close friend, insulted him morally. Because of the moral insult labeled against him, Montresor intends to take revenge. “Part of Montresor's revenge plan, however, is to ensure that he does not expose himself to either Fortunato or society at large” (Johnson et.al, 8). To this end he does not reveal the grudges he holds towards Fortunato. Montresor states that he would consider his revenge plan a failure if Fortunato discovered it and exercised revenge. Despite this, he says he will let Fortunato know that he is the mastermind of all his misfortunes when he is satisfied that his revenge plan will not backfire. Montresor takes full advantage of the fact that Fortunato has a penchant for fine wines. Montresor, seeing that the only opportunity he would have for revenge would be to drink surplus wine, decides to wait until the Carnival season. It tells of a seasonal evening in which Montresor invites Fortunato to his home. The main reason for the invitation is to have Fortunato taste a sample of sherry that he had purchased to ascertain whether the s...... middle of paper ......chess of his lack of intelligence while at the fine table described as lacking intelligence. Works Cited Johnson, Helen, Mike Perkins, and Edgar A. Poe. The Pit and the Pendulum Oxford: Heinemann, 2001. Print.Garrity, Nancy R. Classical Middle School Literature Mysteries Study Unit Parsippany, NJ: Good Year Books, 2000. Print.Poe, Edgar A, and Gary Kelley. The Barrel of Amontillado Mankato, Minn: Creative Education, 2008. Print.Poe, Edgar A, and David D. Galloway. The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Writings: Poems, Stories, Essays, and Reviews. London: Penguin, 2003. Sova, Dawn B, and Dawn B. Sova. Critical Companion to Edgar Allan Poe: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work New York: Facts on File, 2007Stevenson, Robert L, and Barry Menikoff. Tales of the Prince of Storytellers Evanston: Northwestern University Press, 1993. Print.