1. “The Cask of Amontillado”
By Edgar Allen Poe

2. What’cha know about Poe?
Boston, Massachusetts
Addicted to gambling &
alcohol
Married his cousin, Virginia Clemm (13)
Wrote dark, twisted tales

3. Death is unknown – possibly alcohol, drug, or illness-related
Buried in Old Westminster Burying Ground of Baltimore in an unmarked grave (later moved to the Poe Memorial Grave)
The “Poe Toaster” visits Poe’s grave on birthdays and leaves a ½ filled bottle of cognac and 3 roses

4. “The Cask of Amontillado”
For starters… what IS amontillado?
A type of wine!

6. Vocabulary Catacombs Virtuoso Impunity Fettered Connoisseur Gait
Long, windy underground burial tunnels
Virtuoso
A professional
Impunity
Exemption from punishment
Fettered
To restrain
Connoisseur
A judge of the best
Gait
A stride of walking, running, etc.
Precluded
To prevent the existence of
Retribution
Revenge

7. Literary Terms Vocabulary Plot Afflicated Verbal Irony Explicit
Sequence of events
“Cask” begins with the reader learning about the narrator wanting revenge on Fortunato
Verbal Irony
Sarcasm
“And I to your long life”
Montressor keeps calling Fortunato his “friend”
Afflicated
To trouble greatly
Explicit
Clearly developed

8. Literary Terms Dramatic Irony Protagonist
The reader knows what characters don’t
Fortunato says he will not die of a cough – we know Montresor will kill him
“Nemo me impune lacessit” – no one attacks me without punishment (Montresor’s family slogan)
Protagonist
The main character (good guy)
Montresor

9. Literary Terms Mood Point of View
The way the reader feels while reading a story
Dark, gloomy, creepy
Point of View
The perspective the story is told from
First Person POV (narrator is a character in the story)

10. Characters Montresor Fortunato Angry, smart, witty, seeking revenge
Cocky, has money, dressed as a jester (ironic)

11. Reading Questions
What is the meaning of the phrase, “A wrong is undressed when retribution overtakes its redresser”?
A wrong is undone when it’s solved by punishment. It is equally undone when the avenger fails to empathize with the wrongdoer. Revenge is only worthwhile when the wrongdoer feels bad for what they’ve done.
Why did Montresor seek revenge on Fortunato?
He received many injuries/insults.

12. Reading Questions
How did Montresor know that the house would be empty?
He told his servants to stay home during carnival. He knew they would leave because he told them he wouldn’t be returning until a day later, so they knew they could go out and he’d never know.
He did this on purpose because he wanted the house empty; if he told them to go out, they would get suspicious.

13. Reading Questions
Where had the stone and mortar, used by Montresor to wall up the entrance to the niche, been hidden?
At the far end of the crypt under bones of the dead.
In your own words, describe the catacombs that Fortunato is led through.
Dar, dusky, moldy, moist

14. Reading Questions Where and when is the story set?
During carnival, possibly in Italy or Spain (not said)
Why does Montresor make sure Fortunato has drunk a lot of wine?
So he won’t fight as much or realize what’s going on until it’s too late

15. Reading Questions What is Luchresi’s role in the story?
A wine expert Montresor uses to con Fortunato into doing what he says; Montresor knows Fortunato won’t allow himself to look “slighted.”

16. Reading Questions
What preparations had Montresor made for his revenge?
Carnival night: loud and no one would know who was missing
Materials: set up and hidden
Alcohol: had it in the tunnel so he could get Fortunato drunk along the way
Story: used a story about amontillado to lure Fortunato into the catacombs
Had the house empty

17. Reading Questions
Why does Montresor appear concerned about Fortunato’s health?
He wants to appear friendly to hide his eagerness; he also wants him to suffer!
Why did Montresor desire to seek revenge on Fortunato?
Fortunato injured him many times.