Who is The Protagonist In The Cask of Amontillado?

The protagonist of “The Cask of Amontillado” is Montresor, who is planning to take revenge on his one-time friend, Fortunato. Montresor hides his anger and hatred behind a mask of false joviality. He pretends to be friendly and generous, but he really wants to get back at Fortunato for some past slight or insult. He uses his knowledge of Fortunato’s weaknesses — in this case, his love of fine wine — to lure him into a trap where he will be killed and buried alive. Fortunato is a wealthy nobleman who loves wine and is easily duped by Montresor’s pretended offer of a rare wine called Amontillado. He is easily duped because he has no idea that Montresor hates him, and so he doesn’t suspect anything when Montresor proposes they go into the catacombs together to compare the Amontillado wine with an old vat found there (actually a trap). Fortunato agrees eagerly, thinking the whole thing will be fun — until it isn’t anymore! The conflict between these two characters comes to a head when Fortunato insults Montresor again at a carnival masquerade ball. Montresor then plans his revenge by luring Fortunato into a trap under the guise that he will show him a rare wine called Amontillado. He then seals up the room and leaves Fortunato to die from thirst.