Why does Montresor use Amontillado as his lure?
Amontillado gives Montresor a reason to invite Fortunato underground that appeals to Fortunato’s pride in judging wine. Montresor presents uncertainty about a purchase and repeatedly mentions another possible expert. The invitation therefore offers both a desirable tasting and a challenge to Fortunato’s standing.
The details matter because the victim appears to choose to continue. Montresor points to the dampness and Fortunato’s cough while also sustaining the bait. His show of concern makes the exchange more disturbing: the reader knows the revenge plan, while Fortunato treats the journey as a matter of wine and expertise.
The story does not require us to invent an actual cask waiting at the end of the passage. The promised wine is part of Montresor’s deception. Nor should Fortunato’s vanity be treated as a moral justification for what happens to him. A close reading separates the mechanism of the trap from the narrator’s attempt to dignify his revenge. The first printing preserves that sequence of invitations, reassurances, and competitive hints.
Sources and further reading
Editorial answer from Ask Poe. Interpretive readings are distinguished from documented publication facts. Check the linked texts and editions.