What is the geographical, physical, and historical setting of "The Cask of Amontillado?"

"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe is set in one of the older and wealthier cities of Italy. Although the name of the city is not specified, Venice is a likely possibility. It is narrated in the first person by Montresor, who appears relatively wealthy, given the size of his palazzo and his having servants and being able to afford fine wines, although he may have been from a formerly wealthy family that...

"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe is set in one of the older and wealthier cities of Italy. Although the name of the city is not specified, Venice is a likely possibility. It is narrated in the first person by Montresor, who appears relatively wealthy, given the size of his palazzo and his having servants and being able to afford fine wines, although he may have been from a formerly wealthy family that has fallen on hard times.

The narrator at the end says that the events took place fifty years ago; the narrator himself appears to be on his death bed confessing his sins before being given last rites. Although no actual dates are given, the mention of "British and Austrian millionaires" suggests late eighteenth or early nineteenth century for a general period. The time of year is Carnival, the celebration that precedes Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent; the specific date of Carnival varies depending on the date of Easter, which changes from year to year.

There are two locations of the main events of the story, outside at Carnival and indoors in the catacombs of Montresor's palazzo.