Situational Irony Montresor chose the Carnival atmosphere as the setting for his horrible crime. Medoc: Montresor gives Fortunato “another draught of Medoc” as an “act of kindness” but he is really just trying to keep him alive, so he can kill him. (This could be Dramatic Irony as well) Fortunato expects Amontillado and instead receives death

Verbal Irony Montresor to Fortunato “ My poor friend…” Montresor: Come, we will back; your health is precious.” “We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible.” Montresor: “I drink…to your long life.” to Fortunato. The name Fortnuato is Italian for “the fortunate one” The word cask is derived from the same root as “cask” as in casket.

Dramatic Irony Fortunato: “the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough.” We know that he will…the Nitre(a mineral of potassium nitrate) will probably kill him. * “You? Impossible! A Mason?" "A Mason.” says Fortunato. Later he sees how great a mason Montresor is! Montresor says “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.”(This can also be Verbal Irony) Fortunato wears a Jester’s costume and literally gets played as a fool by Montresor! Fortunato doesn’t know he’ll be killed; but reader does, and thus gets the trowel joke and the cough joke.

12. Who is the PROTAGONIST of this story? Justify your answer.

It is Montresor. He is the one pursuing a goal, even if we think it’s a negative goal. The reader gets most insight into his motives and thoughts.

Who is the ANTAGONIST of this story? Defend your answer.

It is Fortunato. He is in conflict with Montresor (the protagonist) because he has insulted Montresor.

Who is the narrator of this story? What kind of narrator is he?

Montresor is the narrator. First person limited (uses “I”; doesn’t give Fortunato’s thoughts May be unreliable Doesn’t explain the “insult” Might have pangs of conscience P. 173 “My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs…” Why is he telling this story 50 years later? possibly deathbed confession?

Would the story be better or worse if you knew what Fortunato did to Montresor? Explain.

Might be worse because Poe’s idea of what is horrifying might not match yours. Might be better if Poe manages to tap into your deepest, most secret fears.

How does Montresor manipulate Fortunato? What CHARACTER TRAITS make Fortunato easy prey for Montresor?

Fortunato is really proud of his ability to judge fine wines and is competitive with others to show his skill. He also likes to drink. Montresor appeals to Fortunato’s pride w/the story of the cask, and uses Luchresi to appeal to F’s competitive nature; he also preys on F’s drunkenness.

Contrast the setting in the beginning of the story with the setting where Montresor takes Fortunato.

The beginning is the craziness of carnival, with costumes, colors, noise, parties; it is dusk. The end is in the depth of Montresor’s family crypt with darkness, bones, horror; it is midnight.

Symbolism? No one can injure me with impunity. Explain how Montresor’s family motto is related to the story? To the actions of Montresor?

The motto translates, “No one insults me with impunity.” This shows that Montresor cannot let an insult be forgiven. He interprets it to allow/require him to kill Fortunato. Fortunato is the serpent that “bit” him by insulting him.