Cask of Amontilado

 

"He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells. I was so pleased to see him, that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand. I said to him--"My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day! But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts" – Cask of Amontillado.

Cask of Amontillado is one of the few gothic short stories from Edgar Allan Poe that flaunts some comedic relief. The quote itself establishes the mood of the story as  a less dramatic story where the main character himself is not the victim of either his actions, actions of others or his morality. Instead, he chooses Fortunato as his victim of revenge and therefore revealing himself as a sadistic character.