After Montressor convinces Fortunato to accompany him in the catacombs, Poe writes, “…Putting on a mask of black silk, and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person...” (Poe 23).
Poe is using another character’s attire to help foreshadow the horrid upcoming events. The mask and roquelaire are described as being black, which is a color traditionally worn to funerals. Poe puts Montressor in this black outfit to symbolize that he is attending Fortunato’s funeral. In the past, “executioners would wear these type of masks before beheading a criminal” (Enotes). This quote helps the reader see that Poe was foreshadowing not only the funeral of Fortunato, but also his execution by Montressor. Montressor views Fortuanto as a criminal for talking bad about him, and so he feels he needs to execute him. These dark colors described by Poe can also be used to symbolize the intense negativity of the situation. The color black is often associated with the death, evil, and mystery. The dark colors worn by Montressor can also be viewed as symbolism for the darkness inside the wall that Fortunato becomes imprisoned
in. Montressor says that his family motto is, “’Nemo me impune lacessit” (Poe 49). This phrase translates into, “No one attacks me with impunity.”