Edgar Allan Poe The Cask of Amantillado

Edgar Allan Poe b. Boston, Mass., 1810 ·mom died 1811, taken in by John Allan · some schooling in Britain, U. of Virginia · gambling debts = disowned by Allan

·1827 join army, used common name · published privately while in army · 1836 marry 13 yr old cousin · 1842 burst blood vessel, invalid · 1847 die TB ·

Poe turn to alcohol, drugs, affairs National fame 1845, The Raven Suicide attempts 1845, depression, madness · Died 1849—Drink or Rabies?

The Perfect Murder: Setting The setting: Italy, 16 th C -18 t hC. The setting: Italy, 16 th C -18 t hC. Direct Descriptions: the specific house in which the action occurs, the season, the time of day, & the exact time span the plot covers Direct Descriptions: the specific house in which the action occurs, the season, the time of day, & the exact time span the plot covers created a mood that is appropriate for the action created a mood that is appropriate for the action

Thinking About Setting Consider: What effect is crated by these chambers of darkness? What specific details increase the horror? Consider what would have happened to the story and the characters if he setting was different.

The Perfect Murder: Location, Location, Location The Catacombs of Venice underground burial chambers used by the 1st and 2nd century Christian and Jewish communities (mostly at Rome)

Catacomb Construction like a maze of many, many miles like a maze of many, many miles walls had cut rows of rectangular niches, “loculi,” (designed to contain 1 body, often held remains of more.) walls had cut rows of rectangular niches, “loculi,” (designed to contain 1 body, often held remains of more.) burials were extremely poor and simple burials were extremely poor and simple corpses (imitating Christ) wrapped in a sheet or shroud, placed in loculi without coffin corpses (imitating Christ) wrapped in a sheet or shroud, placed in loculi without coffin loculi closed with slab of marble or tiles loculi closed with slab of marble or tiles tombstone=engraved name of deceased & Xtian symbols structure of tombs (rows one upon another at different levels) gave idea of vast dormitory, called cemetery, a Greek term meaning “resting place.” structure of tombs (rows one upon another at different levels) gave idea of vast dormitory, called cemetery, a Greek term meaning “resting place.”

Catacomb Laws Christian catacombs, range from 2 nd C to 5 th C Christian catacombs, range from 2 nd C to 5 th C Roman law= forbids burial of dead within city walls Roman law= forbids burial of dead within city walls all catacombs = outside the city all catacombs = outside the city

History of the Catacombs 1 st C Rome’s Xtians no have own cemeteries 1 st C Rome’s Xtians no have own cemeteries if owned land, buried relatives there if owned land, buried relatives there everyone else they use common public cemeteries ie “necropolis” (“city of the dead”) everyone else they use common public cemeteries ie “necropolis” (“city of the dead”) land = $, above ground tombs = lots of space, Xtians = poor land = $, above ground tombs = lots of space, Xtians = poor solution = underground tombs: economical, safe and practical; cheaper to dig underground corridors & galleries than buy large pieces of land solution = underground tombs: economical, safe and practical; cheaper to dig underground corridors & galleries than buy large pieces of land

Alternatives Uses… used as hiding/worship places during Xtian persecutions used as hiding/worship places during Xtian persecutions abandoned when barbarians invade Italy 5 th C -6 th C abandoned when barbarians invade Italy 5 th C -6 th C religious artifacts removed from churches/catacombs religious artifacts removed from churches/catacombs targets of raids & pillaging targets of raids & pillaging

Catacombs “Discovered” in time, landslides and vegetation obstructed and hide the entrances in time, landslides and vegetation obstructed and hide the entrances late middle ages (1400s+), entrances forgotten late middle ages (1400s+), entrances forgotten Antonio Bosio ( ), “Columbus of subterranean Rome.” Antonio Bosio ( ), “Columbus of subterranean Rome.” Giovanni Battista de Rossi ( ), considered father/founder of Xtian Archaeology Giovanni Battista de Rossi ( ), considered father/founder of Xtian Archaeology

Venetian Carnival…The Beginning Developed/changed over centuries Developed/changed over centuries some the first relates to a victory of the Venetians won in 1162 some the first relates to a victory of the Venetians won in 1162 celebration = lots of dancing, street performing, and celebrating celebration = lots of dancing, street performing, and celebrating

Religious Carnvival 13th C more religious tones 13th C more religious tones December 26 to the day before Ash Wednesday, or Fat Tuesday, (beginning of Lent) December 26 to the day before Ash Wednesday, or Fat Tuesday, (beginning of Lent) time of extraordinary freedom—moral, social, romantic, religious—to be enjoyed before the restrictive season of Lent. time of extraordinary freedom—moral, social, romantic, religious—to be enjoyed before the restrictive season of Lent. peak = Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras peak = Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras end = the burning of King Carnival (representing sin) effigy— represents the cleansing of the post-celebration soul in preparation for Lent end = the burning of King Carnival (representing sin) effigy— represents the cleansing of the post-celebration soul in preparation for Lent

Carnival Costumes most popular 16 th C - 18 th C most popular 16 th C - 18 th C masks always a tradition— now much more extravagant, w/ costumes and decorations masks always a tradition— now much more extravagant, w/ costumes and decorations masks depict famous characters from local history masks depict famous characters from local history masks allowed wearers freedom to “enjoy the celebration.”—to be anonymous masks allowed wearers freedom to “enjoy the celebration.”—to be anonymous

Carnival…The Rebirth slowly dying off 19 th C & 20 th C –no longer celebrated after World War II slowly dying off 19 th C & 20 th C –no longer celebrated after World War II revived 1980—become cultural icon worldwide revived 1980—become cultural icon worldwide

Carnival Around the World variations also occur in Rio de Janiero, & New Orleans, LA variations also occur in Rio de Janiero, & New Orleans, LA religious concepts are the same religious concepts are the same styles & celebrations distinct from one another styles & celebrations distinct from one another

Mardi Gras: New Orleans, LA

Traditional Medieval Costumes

16 th C & 17 th C Costumes

Traditions Continue…

New Traditions