“The Cask of Amontillado”

Author, not the narrator, of the story. Developed characters whose sanity is questionable. Universally credited as a significant contributor to the development of the short story as a literary genre.

“The Cask of Amontillado” is the narrator’s account of his ability to carry out a chilling plot of revenge against his offender. Precision in time, place, and setting preclude the idea of risk and allow the narrator both the retribution he seeks and the impunity he demands.

Carnival is a secular holiday, but it evolved from the Christian observance known as Lent. Lent is a solemn forty- day period of fasting prior to Easter.

Carnival is a time of EXCESS and INDULGENCE. BINGEING upon food and alcohol is common. European Carnival traditions survive in the United States in the form of Mardi Gras.

Painting Palazzos (mansions) Fine Wine (vintages)

The narrator plans for his revenge to take place in the catacombs beneath his estate. Catacombs are characterized by extensive tunnels leading to chambers or recesses where the dead repose for eternity.

The wealthy could opt for family catacombs beneath their estates. The narrator of “The Cask of Amontillado” carries out his revenge within the catacombs beneath his palazzo.

The “supreme madness” of Carnival aside, why doesn’t the suggestion of a journey to the catacombs for a taste of wine seem odd or suspicious to the victim? The narrator is able to lure his victim into the catacombs with the promise of amontillado, a fine sherry wine.

During the time period in which the story is set, modern electric refrigeration was not available. To protect wine collections, connoisseurs adopted the practice of storing wines under the ground where temperatures remain ideal year-round.