“The Cask of Amontillado” By: Edgar Allan Poe

Plot Introduction: Rising Action: Montresor states he wants revenge against Fortunato because he has been insulted. Rising Action: M. uses Fortunato’s fondness of wine and concern for reputation against him M. tells F. he has something that could pass as Amontillado

(more rising action) M. tells F. if he is too busy he’ll ask someone else. F. prides himself at being a good judge of wine and thinks the other person is not as good. F. is eager to try the wine M. told his servants to stay while he goes to the Carnival and won’t return until tomorrow He knows the servants will leave

(more rising action) M. shows concern for F.’s health M. uses reverse psychology (He keeps telling him to turn back, but really he wants him to continue.)

Climax They reach a niche in the wall where M. says the Amontillado is. It is dark and F. cannot tell if it is there. M. tricks him into it by saying they can go back and he will just ask Luchesi to taste it When F. goes in to the niche, M. chains F. to the wall

Falling Action M. builds a wall, sealing F. in the catacombs M. listens to F. struggle M. actually mocks F. and shouts louder (proof no one will hear them)

Denouement Final brick in the wall – F. is sealed in No one disturbed the wall for 50 years We know M. has gotten away with it and is now bragging that his revenge was successful.

Conflict M. wants revenge for himself because F. insulted him M. wants to get away with it in a way that F. cannot get him back

Setting Early evening until almost midnight An Italian city Carnival Festival around Lent Montresor’s catacombs

Theme Revenge Deception – M. deceives F. telling him he wants him to taste some wine Pride – F. believes himself to be a great wine connoisseur

Point of View First person M. telling story We only know his side – Did F. really insult him?

Characters Montresor – seeking revenge against F. Fortunato – wine connoisseur

Irony Title – “cask” meaning wine barrel, also comes from casket meaning coffin Fortunato’s name suggests “fortune” – good luck, obviously he is not fortunate Mason’s – Freemasons vs. mason who builds with stone and mortar.