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Location - No location is specified, although the ancient house of Montresor, with its elaborate catacombs, certainly suggests a European setting. Mabbott, based on the name of Montresor, posits that the setting is likely French (T&S, 3:1255), although one might just as easily argue that Montresor may be a foreigner living in a land not his own. In this case, the names Fortunato (who we are told is Italian) and Luchresi (which certainly sounds Italian) imply an Italian setting. (At one point, Montresor refers to his house as his “palazzo,” which is an Italian word.) Venice is famous for its annual carnival, although the idea of deep catacombs beneath a building in a city which is itself surrounded and cross-cut by water, seems unlikely.
Date - No particular date is established for the story. It may be presumabed, however, that it is related by Montresor in a setting contemporary with the year of first publication, thus 1846. Because we are told at the end of the tale that the events described occurred half a century before, it may be reasonable to consider the main part of the story as having transpired about 1794. In Italy, Carnevale is celebrated 40 days prior to Lent, thus about the second half of February.
Montresor, perhaps on his death-bed, recalls the events of 50 years before. He had secretly harbored a deep grudge against Fortunato, someone he felt committed an unforgivable offence that is never detailed for the reader. Pretending to be surprised at meeting Fortunato in the middle of carnival celebrations, Montresor tricks his hapless victim into coming back to his own family home. There, Montresor lures Fortuato down into the extensive catacombs, and enacts a terrible revenge.
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[S:0 - JAS] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Works - Tales - The Cask of Amontillado