The Cask of Amontillado First Six Sentences Analysis and Vocabulary

One The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. Translation: Fortunato has disrespected Montresor many times in many different ways. The reader is not told of these injuries or insults, only that Montresor has been pushed to the point of seeking revenge.

Two You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. Translation: Montresor is speaking to an unknown person—someone who knows him well and probably for a long time. This person would not suspect him of being the kind of man to make such a severe threat against another.

Three At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled - but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. Definitively—Precisely—clear and distinct Precluded—To hinder or make impossible Translation: Montresor wants his vengence to be lasting and permanent. He is more concerned with the importance of this lasting and permanent solution to his need for vengeance than he is with the risks involved in achieving it.

Four I must not only punish but punish with impunity. Impunity: Freedom from punishment Translation: Montresor wants to be able to seek this revenge and accomplish it, but he wants to do it without receiving any penalty. He feels that it is justified.

Five A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. Unredressed-- When the steps taken to amend a wrong doing are undone. Retribution—Punishment for offenses Redresser—The one who remedies a wrongdoing Translation—Montresor points out that when the redresser has to suffer for his actions that all of his efforts are in vain.

Six It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong. Translation: The revenge has to make to Montresor feel like Fortunato felt when Fortunato wronged him.