The Cask of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe

Answer the following: Has anyone ever done anything to you that made you want to get revenge on them? What did they do? Have you ever gotten revenge on someone for something they did to you? What did you do to them in return? Why did you feel a need to get revenge? Explain how the revenge made you feel? Did you get caught? If you had gotten caught, would that have changed the feeling the revenge gave you? Explain.

Edgar Allan Poe Poe was born January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents were actors and died before he was 3. He was raised by John and Frances Allan in Richmond, Virginia His brothers and sisters were raised by different families across the country.

Early Life Poe went to the best schools in Richmond. He then went to the University of Virginia but had to leave a year later because of gambling debts. He moved to Boston and enlisted in the Army. He then went to the Military Academy but had to withdraw due to financial difficulties.

Relationship Poe moved to Baltimore, and moved in with his aunt, Maria Clemm and her daughter Virginia. He began writing short stories and selling them to local newspapers and magazines. In 1836, he married Virginia (she was 14). She died in 1847 from tuberculosis. Poe then spiraled into depression and alcoholism.

Poe’s Writing In 1835, Poe became the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond, Virginia. He began publishing multiple short-stories and poems over the next 10 years. Poe became known as the “architect” of the modern short story. His stories made him one of the originators of horror and detective stories.

Poe’s Death Poe accepted a job in Philadelphia as an editor and was on his way there from Richmond. He stopped in Baltimore. He was found on October 3, 1849 semi-conscious on a street in Baltimore. He died 4 days later. A new discovery believes he may have been suffering from rabies.

Cask: a container made and shaped like a barrel, especially one larger and stronger, for holding liquids.

Amontillado: a pale, dry, Spanish sherry.

Revenge: to inflict punishment for a wrong someone did to you.

Preclude: to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of;  make impossible

Impunity: exemption from punishment.

Redress: the act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil.

Immolation: a sacrifice.

Virtuoso: person who has special knowledge or skill in a field

Carnival: a festive occasion or period marked by merrymaking, processions, etc: esp. in some Roman Catholic countries, the period just before Lent.

Motley: being of different colors combined

Palazzo: an impressive public building or private residence; palace

Flambeaux: a flaming torch

Catacombs: an underground cemetery, especially one consisting of tunnels and rooms and recesses dug out for coffins and tombs. c

Nitre: A naturally occurring mineral form of potassium nitrate.

Gesticulation: an animated or excited gesture.

Freemason: a member of a widely distributed secret order having for its mutual assistance and the promotion of brotherly love among its members.

Mason: a person whose trade is building with units of various natural or artificial mineral products, as stones, bricks, cinder blocks, or tiles, usually with the use of mortar or cement as a bonding agent.

Trowel: any of various tools having a flat blade with a handle, used for depositing and working mortar, plaster, etc.

Recess: a receding part or space, as a bay or alcove in a room.

Rapier:   small sword, especially of the 18th  century having a narrow blade and used for thrusting.

Questions Do you think Montresor should have killed Fortunato? Why or why not? What do you think Fortunato might have done to make Montresor want such a diabolical revenge? In your opinion, did Montresor have to kill Fortunato? Is there any other way Montresor could have handled the situation? Explain. Do you think Montresor’s crime will be discovered? Why or why not?

Literary Questions How does not knowing what Fortunato did to Montresor intensify the horror of this story? Explain how Montresor’s family motto is related to the story and to the actions of Montresor. How does Montresor manipulate Fortunato? What CHARACTER TRAITS make Fortunato easy prey for Montresor? CHARACTERIZE Montresor. What kind of man is he?

Literary Questions Continued 5. Contrast the SETTING in the beginning of the story to where Montresor takes Fortunato. What is the SETTING? What DETAILS of the SETTING help elaborate on the horror of the story? What might Fortunato’s name mean? Why might Fortunato’s name be IRONIC? Explain the MOOD of this story.

Literary Questions Continued Who is the PROTAGONIST of this story? Justify your answer. Who is the ANTAGONIST of this story? Defend your answer. Would the story be better or worse if we knew what Montresor did to Fortunato? Explain. Who is the narrator of the story? What kind of NARRATOR is he/she? Explain two SYMBOLS in the story. What do they stand for and why are they significant?