1. English I Honors—March 4, 2015
Bell work: Why does Montresor hate Fortunato? Does he have the right to punish him? What does Montresor say to justify his actions?
Homework:
Independent Reading Project due Friday.
Study for Lesson #6 Vocabulary Quiz on Monday.

2. Irony—As we read today, underline examples of irony.
Irony: when something turns out to be quite different than expected.
Situational irony: occurs when an event contradicts the expectations of the characters or the reader.
Dramatic irony: a form of irony in which the reader or audience knows more about the circumstances or future events than the characters within the scene.
Verbal irony: occurs when a speaker or narrator says one thing while meaning the opposite.
Verbal Irony

3. Verbal Irony in “The Cask of Amontillado” What is stated. . .
What it means. . .
“And I [drink] to your long life.”
“Once more let me implore you to return.”
“I shall not die of a cough.”
Ha, ha. You’re going to be dead soon.
Montresor has no intention of letting Fortunato leave the vaults.
Fortunato will die in the vaults, though not of a cough.
Situational Irony in “The Cask of Amontillado”
What is expected. . .
What happens. . .
Fortunato expects proof that Montresor is a Mason.
Carnival time is a time for festivities and celebration.
Fortunato enjoys drinking Montresor’s wine.
Fortunato wears the clothing of a fool as a party costume.
Montresor takes out his trowel as proof that he is a mason, though he knows it is not proof that he belongs to the Brotherhood of Masons.
Carnival time is time for murder.
Fortunato is so drunk that he cannot recognize what is happening until it is too late.
He is a fool.
Dramatic Irony in “The Cask of Amontillado”
What the reader knows. . .
What the character knows. . .
Montresor vows to kill Fortunato.
Fortunato’s insult of Montresor is enough to get him killed.
Montresor’s coat of arms shows a snake striking a heel, a traditional symbol of weakness (Achille’s heel).
Fortunato thinks he will be going on a wine tasting.
Fortunato does not seem to be aware of any insult.
Fortunato does not understand that Montresor is taking advantage of a weakness, that is, Fortunato’s pride in his wine expertise.

4. What might the following symbolize?
Symbol: anything (any object, animal, event, person, or place) that represents itself but also stands for something else on a figurative level.
What might the following symbolize?
The setting: “supreme madness of carnival”
Fortunato (his name means “fortune”)
The motley that Fortunato wears
The nitre that looks like “white webwork”
The “cask” of Amontillado
Pipe of Amontillado
motley
Montresor's Coat of Arms—
No one insults me with impunity
Nitre—also known as potassium nitrate

5. The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe
3. Climax
What is the turning point in the story?
2. Rising Action
4. Falling Action
How does the character (s) respond to the conflict?
What are the events that happen after the climax that lead to the resolution?
5. Resolution
1. Exposition
How is the conflict resolved?
What is the conflict? What is the setting? What do we know about the characters?
1. Why do you think Montresor never reveals what Fortunato did to insult him?
2. Remember that Montresor says revenge is only successful when the avenger gets away with it and the victim knows who the punisher is. Does Montresor meet his own requirements of revenge? Why or why not?
3. What steps does Montresor take to ensure his plan works?
4. At what point do you find Montresor the most disturbing?
5. What makes this a good story?
6. There are many topics discussed in this story: revenge, madness, pride, and foolishness. What is a possible theme for this story? Remember to write it as a statement.

6. Writing Prompt
In a well-supported paragraph, explain how Poe uses irony in “The Cask of Amontillado” to emphasize the evil intentions of Montresor. Be sure to:
Create a topic sentence that introduces your topic.
Cite textual examples of irony.
Include commentary sentences that explain the importance or the effect of the irony.
Use appropriate parallel structure of multiple ideas within a sentence.
Example:
In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allen Poe uses irony to emphasize the evil intentions of Montresor. When Montresor and Fortunato first enter the catacombs, Fortunato has a coughing fit and Montresor gives Fortunato the chance to turn back. However, Fortunato is arrogant and he declares, “the cough is merely nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough.” Montresor’s response of “true, true” is ironic, because Montresor plans to kill Fortunato. Furthermore, when Fortunato expects Montresor to show him the sign of the Mason, Montresor pulls out a trowel. Fortunato thinks that Montresor is making a joke, but this ultimately reveals Montresor’s plan is to bury Fortunato alive, and this is a sure sign that Montresor has wicked plans.