, in his
short story , does not specify the precise nature of the "inciting
incident" that drives the story's narrator, Montresor, to seek the demise of his intended
victim. The story's opening sentence is purposely vague with respect to this matter:
"THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best
could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge."
We can only surmise from this comment that Fortunato has verbally insulted, or
criticized to unspecified third parties, the story's narrator. Certainly, Fortunato is presented
as a pompous blowhard, thoroughly arrogant, particularly on the subject of wine, the bait
employed by Montresor to entrap his nemesis. At one point, continuing to lead the inebriated
target of his wrath deeper into his cellar, Montresor begins to explain that another colleague
or friend, Luchresi, has attested to the identity of Montresor's cask of wine, prompting
Fortunato to sharply respond, "He is an ignoramus." All we know
of Fortunato, therefore, is that he is an arrogant ass, given to condescending remarks directed
towards others, and it was apparently a history of such comments uttered towards or about
Montresor that constituted the "inciting incident."
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