f Fortunado I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge." Montresor tells Fortunado that he needs him to taste some newly purchased wine to see if it is Amontillado. Fortunato prides himself on his knowledge of wines and immediately agrees to help. The two venture down into the vaults where the wines are kept. The beauty of the story is not in the theme, but in the method of operation. Montresor not only plans to kill Fortunado, but to torture him by walling him in down in the catacombs. This way Fortunado will have plenty of time to contemplate his death and regret his behavior.
Irony also plays a significant role in the story. Throughout the journey down the catacombs, Montresor talks about Fortunado's cough. He points out the nitre on the walls and comments on how unhealthy the atmoshere is for his condition. Fortunado does not know yet
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