The resolution of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” is a chilling conclusion that highlights themes of revenge and irony. In the story, Montressor lures Fortunato into the catacombs under the guise of tasting a rare wine, Amontillado. As they descend deeper, Montressor finally enacts his plan. He chains Fortunato to a wall and begins to seal him in with a wall of bricks.
The resolution occurs when Montressor completes the wall, leaving Fortunato to perish in the dark. The final lines reveal that fifty years have passed since that event, with Montressor admitting that he has never been caught or punished for his crime. This resolution not only serves as a conclusion of Montressor’s chilling revenge but also leaves readers reflecting on the consequences of obsession and the dark side of human nature.