Final answer:
Montresor's treatment of his servants demonstrates a cunning manipulation that foreshadows his deceitful and vengeful character, as he ensures their absence to carry out his plan against Fortunato without witnesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Montresor's treatment of his house servants reveals much about his understanding of human psychology and his overall character, which foreshadows his treatment of Fortunato. In Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado,' Montresor's strategic absence from his home when planning his revenge on Fortunato suggests a deep understanding of how to manipulate people. He knows that giving his servants the night off under pretext and telling them not to leave indicates that they will do the opposite, thereby ensuring that no witnesses would be present to observe or thwart his malicious plan.
The correct answer to the question is B. Montresor's cruelty towards his servants foreshadows his deceptive and vengeful character. It is his deceptive nature that orchestrates a situation where he can proceed with his plan unhindered, demonstrating not compassion or kindness but rather a cunning and ruthlessness that is also employed in his treatment of Fortunato.