Cask of Amontillado
by Edgar Allan Poe | Grades 9-12
"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe is a chilling tale of revenge and betrayal. Set during a carnival in an unnamed Italian city, the story follows Montresor, who seeks vengeance against Fortunato for an unspecified insult. Luring Fortunato into the catacombs with the promise of sampling a rare vintage wine—Amontillado—Montresor's true intentions become horrifyingly clear. The narrative's suspenseful build-up culminates in a gruesome twist that leaves readers contemplating the depths of human vengeance and the macabre intricacies of Poe's storytelling.