As the story opens, an unnamed narrator explains, "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge." There is no hint as to whom the narrator is speaking or writing, and the "thousand injuries" and the "insult" committed by Fortunato are never described. Nevertheless, the narrator contemplates his desire for revenge and his plan to "not only punish, but punish with impunity"; that is, to punish Fortunato without being caught or punished himself. Furthermore, he is determined not to act in secrecy, for Fortunato must know that his pain is handed to him by Montresor.

Fortunato has no idea that Montresor is angry with him—Montresor has given no hint of it. When Montresor encounters his "friend" on the street one evening during the carnival season, Fortunato has no reason to be suspicious. Montresor...