The Cask of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe ( 1846 )

Poe the Author Poe introduced horror and detective fiction. This story was his last story; published in 1846 Poe’s primary concern was “unity of effect,” which means that every element of a story should help create a single emotional impact. Poe’s greatest fear is being buried alive! Poe passed away on October 7, 1849

Setting Carnival is a holiday. It has evolved to the Christian observance of Lent. In anticipation of fasting (not eating meat for forty days), Christians would overindulge to bid farewell to meat- eating. Carn= Meat Val= Farewell

Pre-Reading Vocabulary

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

Amontillado variety of sherry (wine) from the 18th century Syn. wine

Impunity exemption from punishment Exemption, pardon

Motley costume of a jester (joker) costume

Niter a mineral from potassium, an old word for sodium. Poe uses it to refer to the Saint of the Niter Syn. Minerals

Mason craftsman who works with stones Syn. Brick Layer

Catacomb an underground cemetery or passageway, especially one consisting of tunnels and rooms with recesses dug out for coffins and tombs. Syn. Tombs

Crypt chamber or vault, especially one beneath the main floor of a church, used as a burial place, a location for secret meetings, etc. Syn. Catacomb

Nemo me impune lacessit Latin phrase Translation: No one can harm me unpunished. An eye for an eye. Revenge

Figurative Devices Think about The Most Dangerous Game Foreshadowing – to show or indicate beforehand Think about The Most Dangerous Game

This story is told in first person point of view. Montresor is the narrator. Pronouns: I, me, we, our

Verbal Irony Verbal irony occurs when a speaker or narrator says one thing while meaning the opposite.

Situational Irony Situational irony occurs when an event contradicts the expectations of the characters or the reader.

Dramatic irony Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or audience knows more about circumstances or future events in the story than the characters within it.

Video – After we Read It!  https://vimeo.com/14854607