1. “The Cask of Amontillado”
by Edgar Allan Poe

2. About the Author Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1849
Poe’s parents died before he was 3 years old.
Adopted into the Allan family, and sent to the best boarding schools.
Had to leave the University of Virginia when he racked up too many gambling debts.
Suffered from depression and alcoholism.
Died unexpectedly at the age of 40.

3. Setting: Carnival

5. Pre-Reading theme connection – 5 min.
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?
REVENGE: the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands

6. Audio reading of “The Cask of Amontillado”

7. Literary Analysis Discussion Questions

8. 1. CHARACTERIZE Montresor - What kind of person is he?
CHARACTERIZATION: how an author introduces and describes a character, may be done directly (tells) or indirectly (shows)

9. 2. Why might Fortunato’s name be IRONIC?

10. 3. Give examples of IRONY in the story, including SITUATIONAL, DRAMATIC, and VERBAL IRONY.

11. 4. How does not knowing what Fortunato did to Montresor intensify the horror of this story?

12. 5. Explain how Montresor’s family motto is related to the story
5. Explain how Montresor’s family motto is related to the story? ( ) To the actions of Montresor?

13. 6. How does Montresor manipulate Fortunato
6. How does Montresor manipulate Fortunato? What CHARACTER TRAITS make Fortunato easy prey for Montresor?

14. 7. What is the setting? What details of the setting contribute to the horror of this story?

15. 8. Who is the PROTAGONIST of this story? Justify your answer.

16. 9. Who is the narrator of this story? What kind of narrator is he?
Montresor is the narrator
First person limited (uses “I”; doesn’t give Fortunato’s thoughts
May be unreliable
Doesn’t explain the “insult”
Might have pangs of conscience
“My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs…”
Why is he telling this story 50 years later? possibly deathbed confession?

17. 10. Explain a symbol in the story
The cask of Amontillado could symbolize the wealth associated with a rare item, which motivates both characters
Montresor’s coat of arms could symbolize his revenge against Fortunato’s insult
Fortunato’s fool costume symbolizes his foolishness and greed
Carnival symbolizes a topsy-turvy society that allows such a murder
The mansion/catacombs symbolize Montresor’s personality, which is pleasant on the outside, but filled with death and darkness underneath.