2. The Cask of Amontillado

3. Published 1846
One theory for the inspiration for story was a feud Poe had with 2 other poets
The story was somewhat controversial for focusing his story on a crime with no apparent motive, and a murderer with no apparent remorse
Background
The Cask of Amontillado

4. Behind the Story Poe had a real fear of being buried alive
After reading Poe’s work, a Russian inventor created a device that allowed “deceased” to ring a bell so that live people above ground would know the buried person was not really dead
Think about this as we read “Cask of Amontillado”

5. Overview
The story is narrated by Montresor, who carries a grudge against Fortunato for an offense that is never explained
Montresor leads a drunken Fortunato through a series of chambers beneath his palazzo

6. Although Fortunato has a horrible cough the promise of a taste of Amontillado spurs him deeper and deeper into the underground
When the two men reach the last underground chamber, Montresor chains Fortunato to the wall, builds a new wall to seal him in, and leaves him to die

7. Literary Focus Themes and Conflicts Revenge Madness Deception
Remorse vs. Lack of Remorse
Pride
Friendship
Power and Respect
Social Clases and Social Significance within Society

8. Literary Focus
Symbols
Montresor’s Coat of Arms and motto, Nemo me impune lacessit
Irony
The Usage of a Trowel
A foot in a blue background crushing a snake whose fangs are embedded in the foot's heel
“No one attacks me with impunity”
Both the coat of arms and motto are representative of Montresor’s lust for revenge
He will crush Fortunado for the “injuries” he has given
Fortunado belongs to a secret society called the Freemasons
Montresor says he is also a mason, but then produces a trowel used for regular masonery work
Fortunado thinks this action is trivial, but the trowel ends up playing an integral part in his demise .

9. Literary Focus
Point of View
Told in the first person by Montresor
By presenting the story in the first person, Poe puts the reader at the mercy of an unreliable narrator, a mad man, who decides what to tell and what to leave out.

10. Fortunato
Montresor's sworn enemy,
Fortunato displays no uneasiness in Montresor's company, and is unaware that his friend is plotting against him.
Fortunato is a proud connoisseur of fine wine
He is urged on by the chance of sampling some rare Amontillado

11. Luchesi
Acquaintance of Montresor's and Fortunato's
A rival wine expert of Fortunado’s
Montresor keeps Fortunato on the trail of the Amontillado by threatening to allow Luchesi to sample it first

12. Montresor
Holds a grudge against his friend Fortunato, who has committed several unnamed offenses against him
Wealthy and lives in a palazzo
Has planned murder of Fortunado
Telling the story fifty years after it has taken place he reveals no regret for his actions