In Bill Delaney’s article from The Explicator, vol 64, “Poe’s THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO” he describes the ways Montresor's revenge has affected the character emotionally. Delaney discusses that by the end of his act of revenge Montresor is no longer mad at Fortunato but instead pities him. Even comparing how Montresor feels to when Octavius cries upon learning of the death of Antony in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra claiming that “Once (Montresor) had obtained satisfaction, he could feel compassion for his victim” (Delaney). He points out that even though not carrying out his act of vengeance would make Montresor even angrier than he already was, he continuously refers to Fortunato as his “poor friend” and suggested repeatedly that they
