![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() It has been convincingly argued by many scholars that the story is being told to a confessor priest as Montresor lies on his deathbed. It would be hard to find such an exquisite purchase at the height of the Carnival, so both men doubt the veracity of the purchase, and Fortunato's pride is immediately stoked when Montresor agrees to let him taste test it (Luchesi, Fortunato scoffs, couldn't tell Amontillado from table sherry). Montresor uses reverse psychology to entice Fortunato by suggesting that he is going to ask Luchesi - a mutual friend and another "connoisseur" - to verify the authenticity of a recent wine acquisition - a 130 gallon cask of rare Amontillado (uh-MOHN-tee-YAH-doh) - a dry, oaky, nutty, toasty, brown-colored, sherry (white wine fortified with brandy at 17% alcohol). Fortunato considers himself a connoisseur of wine (although he behaves much more like an alcoholic - chugging rare vintages, confusing types of wines, and agreeing to a taste test while drunk), a supposed expertise which goes straight to his ego. He has been drinking heavily, as Montresor expected, and is in a rowdy, aggressive mood. Fortunato encounters Montresor dressed in a jester's motley costume - complete with a pointed, jingly hat. ![]()
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