By Edger Allen Poe

Edgar Allan Poe Born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Mass. Born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Mass. Parents died when he was very young; he was taken in by wealthy relatives Parents died when he was very young; he was taken in by wealthy relatives

Edgar Allan Poe Poet, short story writer, editor, literary critic Poet, short story writer, editor, literary critic Genres included horror fiction, crime fiction, and detective fiction Genres included horror fiction, crime fiction, and detective fiction

Vocabulary: Cask of Amontillado

accost To approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with a demand or request. To approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with a demand or request.

impunity Freedom from punishment, penalty, or harm Freedom from punishment, penalty, or harm

termination The end of something in time; the conclusion The end of something in time; the conclusion

destined To be determined beforehand To be determined beforehand

preclude To make impossible, especially by taking action in advance To make impossible, especially by taking action in advance

virtuoso A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts. A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.

fetter To restrain with chains or shackles To restrain with chains or shackles

repose To lie dead or at rest To lie dead or at rest

implore To beg To beg

subside To become less active or to quiet down To become less active or to quiet down

Context Clues

AMONTILLADO A pale, medium dry sherry (a Spanish wine) from Spain A pale, medium dry sherry (a Spanish wine) from Spain

CASK A sturdy, cylinder container for storing liquids A sturdy, cylinder container for storing liquids

CARNIVAL Carnival time is a celebration Carnival time is a celebration before the Lenten season begins (one last party).

catacombs An underground cemetery consisting of tunnels that lead to graves. An underground cemetery consisting of tunnels that lead to graves.

trowel A flat-bladed hand tool for leveling, spreading, or shaping substances such as cement or mortar A flat-bladed hand tool for leveling, spreading, or shaping substances such as cement or mortar

motley Having elements of great variety Having elements of great variety

Palazzo A large, splendid residence or public building A large, splendid residence or public building

mason A person that works with stone or brick A person that works with stone or brick

flambeaux A lighted torch A lighted torch

nitre A white/grey colorless powder used in making gun powder A white/grey colorless powder used in making gun powder