The 1800s was a time where the wealthy thrived in Europe, and the celebration of the carnival season was accompanied by the common hobby of collecting wine. Set in this time period, the story tells of a man Montresor who seeks revenge on his friend Fortunato by luring him into the family catacombs with the promise of good wine and leaving him there in shackles to die. by In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, the influential nature of the hidden catacombs creates a sinister mood, adds suspense, and reveals information about the characters. As the story progresses, the setting creates an eerie, dark mood for the reader. As the two main characters take their first steps descending down the staircase to the catacombs, Montresor tells Fortunato to observe “the white web-work”(72) that covered the walls. The author’s vivid imagery when describing the cobwebs conveyed the damp, dirty environment of the catacombs and …show more content…
Firstly, the two step out of the staircase into the vault and into “the catacombs of the Montresors.” (68). The catacombs that house the remains of family members makes a reader suspicious of Montresor’s motives in bringing Fortunato to such a place. After the pair finished drinking their Medoc, a type of Sherry wine, they continue through “walls of piled bones.” (108). This detail creates an unsettling and anxious mood, and also foreshadows the story’s deadly ending. Toward the end of the story, Montresor lures Fortunato into a small room at the very back of the catacombs and reveals “a short chain” and “ a padlock” (159). This quote hints at the ominous intentions Montresor has and creates suspicion about his future actions. Throughout any story, the setting can cause situations that make the reader anxious or excited about events to come while also revealing how the characters develop certain