Montresor in The Cask of Amontillado

This article explains the character of Montresor in "The Cask of Amontillado".  Montresor is one of the most infamous of villains, and captures the essence of an evil protagonist.  Yet there are those who would defend his actions or excuse them as justified.  The question he poses, however, is a valid one.  Are there reasons when revenge justifies murder?

In the current political environment there are those who would suggest that yes, under some circumstances killing is the only answer.  In the context of the story, however, there are few who would be able to justify what Montresor does, especially considering that we have no evidence of what wrongs were done to him.