In this excerpt from "The Cask of Amontillado," Edgar Allan Poe indirectly describes Montresor’s deceptive and vengeful characte
r and temperament. Which parts of the excerpt provide these details? "I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us."
"And I to your long life."
He again took my arm, and we proceeded.
"These vaults," he said, "are extensive."
"The Montresors," I replied, "were a great and numerous family."
"I forget your arms."
"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel."
"And the motto?"
"Nemo me impune lacessit." [Latin for "No one attacks me with impunity.]
In this particular excerpt, Montresor is walking with Fortunato and says a couple of things that indicate his deceptive nature for the evening. First, he says he that he celebrates those who are dead when Fortunato says he celebrates his life in the line: “I drink […] to the buried…” Then, at the end of the excerpt, he hints that the reason they are in the cellar is for Montresor to take revenge by answering Fortunato’s question about what his family’s motto is by stating it’s “Nemo me impune lacessit,” which is Latin for “No one attacks me with impunity.” Thus, Montresor hints at his real reasons while feigning friendship.
