In Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado," Montresor recounts his act of revenge. He tells us his thoughts, but does not completely tell us his motivation. "The thousand injuries of Fortunato [he] had borne as best [he] could, but when [Fortunato] ventured upon insult [he] vowed revenge" (1). This coupled with his jealousy and desire to be victorious over Fortunato are the only reasons he gives us for committing the crime. His lack of motivation paired with an overabundance of vengeance, is exactly what makes Montresor an unreliable narrator. He has the mind of a criminal, and the tale he tells is one that flows through his filter. He chooses to tell that which will free him from guilt.
             He contradicts himself in the introduction of the account. He says, "I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes the redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger felt as such to him who has done the wrong" (5-8). This contradiction only substantiates his unreliability. In the act of retelling the story, he has shown that the punishment is upon him. The wrong has overtaken him and left him recounting his deed. It is an ironic effect of the guilt raging inside the speaker. But even clearer is the revelation that the guilt caught up with him sooner. While finishing the wall he has to stop and sit down. The screaming becomes too much for him to deal with, so he suppresses his feelings of guilt by yelling back at the misfortunate Fortunato. He recounts, "I replied to the yells of him who clamored. I re-echoed, I aided, I surpassed them in volume and in strength" (70). He even struggles with the last stone's weight, as he also struggles with his own guilt. Finally, right before he finishes building the wall, he starts to feel sick. He remembers, "My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so" (90). He uses the ex...