The narrator, Montresor, opens the story by stating that he has been irreparably insulted by his acquaintance, Fortunato, and that he seeks revenge. He wants to exact this revenge, however, in a measured way, without placing himself at risk. He decides to use Fortunato’s fondness for wine against him. During the carnival season, Montresor, wearing a mask of black silk, approaches Fortunato. He tells Fortunato that he has acquired something that could pass for Amontillado, a light Spanish sherry. Fortunato (Italian for “fortunate”) wears the multicolored costume of the jester, including a cone cap with bells. Montresor tells Fortunato that if he is too busy, he will ask a man named Luchesi to taste it. Fortunato apparently considers Luchesi a competitor and claims that this man could not tell Amontillado from other types of sherry. Fortunato is anxious to taste the wine and to determine for Montresor whether or not it is truly Amontillado. Fortunato insists that they go to Montresor’s vaults.
Vocabulary:
venture: an undertaking involving uncertainty as to the outcome
Ex: Many of these lessons are sent to people living in remote areas of Nepal where no Bible is found and few preachers dare venture.
preclude: prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of:
Ex: Every effort should be made by Japan to preclude such ominous possibilities.
perceive:to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses
Ex: The crew perceived a hostile aircraft threat to be closing on their ship.
connoisseurship: a person who is especially competent to pass critical judgments in an art, particularly one of the fine arts, or in matters of taste
Ex: a connoisseur of modern art.
virtuoso: a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field.
Ex: See yourself in your mind's eye becoming a guitar virtuoso.
quack: the harsh, throaty cry of a duck or any similar sound.
Ex:Mention must be made of the neighbors happily quacking ducks for those with sensitive ears!
insufferably: not to be endured; intolerable; unbearable: their insufferable insolence.
Ex: Then sinners will not be able to hide themselves; but, with insufferable pain, they shall be compelled to appear in judgment.
mere: being nothing more nor better than
Ex: Two of these sites are fluctuating meres while the third is a man-made pond.
sconce: a bracket for candles or other lights, placed on a wall, mirror, picture frame, etc.
Ex: An elegant wall mounted candle sconce that will enhance the atmosphere wherever it is used.
archway: an entrance or passage under an arch.
Ex: Long into the glittering archway leading to help further.
comprehend: to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive
Ex: I could not try to comprehend the enormity of what I had witnessed.
hesitate: Not making the decision
Ex: Do n't hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team on the number below should the hotel not respond to your claim.
shrill: high-pitched and piercing in sound quality
Ex: A shrill cry
astonishment: overpowering wonder or surprise
Ex: He looked with astonishment at his friends.
recess: temporary withdrawal or cessation from the usual work or activity.
Ex:Our recessed downlights are made from a cast aluminum alloy unlike many of the cheap downlights on the market.
Summary:
The narrator, Montresor, opens the story by stating that he has been irreparably insulted by his acquaintance, Fortunato, and that he seeks revenge. He wants to exact this revenge, however, in a measured way, without placing himself at risk. He decides to use Fortunato’s fondness for wine against him. During the carnival season, Montresor, wearing a mask of black silk, approaches Fortunato. He tells Fortunato that he has acquired something that could pass for Amontillado, a light Spanish sherry. Fortunato (Italian for “fortunate”) wears the multicolored costume of the jester, including a cone cap with bells. Montresor tells Fortunato that if he is too busy, he will ask a man named Luchesi to taste it. Fortunato apparently considers Luchesi a competitor and claims that this man could not tell Amontillado from other types of sherry. Fortunato is anxious to taste the wine and to determine for Montresor whether or not it is truly Amontillado. Fortunato insists that they go to Montresor’s vaults.
Vocabulary:
venture: an undertaking involving uncertainty as to the outcome
Ex: Many of these lessons are sent to people living in remote areas of Nepal where no Bible is found and few preachers dare venture.
preclude: prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of:
Ex: Every effort should be made by Japan to preclude such ominous possibilities.
perceive:to become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses
Ex: The crew perceived a hostile aircraft threat to be closing on their ship.
connoisseurship: a person who is especially competent to pass critical judgments in an art, particularly one of the fine arts, or in matters of taste
Ex: a connoisseur of modern art.
virtuoso: a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field.
Ex: See yourself in your mind's eye becoming a guitar virtuoso.
quack: the harsh, throaty cry of a duck or any similar sound.
Ex:Mention must be made of the neighbors happily quacking ducks for those with sensitive ears!
insufferably: not to be endured; intolerable; unbearable: their insufferable insolence.
Ex: Then sinners will not be able to hide themselves; but, with insufferable pain, they shall be compelled to appear in judgment.
mere: being nothing more nor better than
Ex: Two of these sites are fluctuating meres while the third is a man-made pond.
sconce: a bracket for candles or other lights, placed on a wall, mirror, picture frame, etc.
Ex: An elegant wall mounted candle sconce that will enhance the atmosphere wherever it is used.
archway: an entrance or passage under an arch.
Ex: Long into the glittering archway leading to help further.
comprehend: to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive
Ex: I could not try to comprehend the enormity of what I had witnessed.
hesitate: Not making the decision
Ex: Do n't hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team on the number below should the hotel not respond to your claim.
shrill: high-pitched and piercing in sound quality
Ex: A shrill cry
astonishment: overpowering wonder or surprise
Ex: He looked with astonishment at his friends.
recess: temporary withdrawal or cessation from the usual work or activity.
Ex:Our recessed downlights are made from a cast aluminum alloy unlike many of the cheap downlights on the market.