“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe
Pages 344-351
Pre-Reading:
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Is revenge necessary to right a wrong?
Do acts of revenge ever resolve conflicts?
Does revenge cause a chain reaction? If so, how?
Facts About the Author:
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Only lived to be 40 years old
Was the son of traveling actors
Dad left the family and mom died when he was 3
Foster kid to the Allan family in Richmond, VA
Smart and athletic as a kid, but was moody and
irresponsible
Dropped out of college due to gambling debts
Married is 13 year old cousin, Virginia
Drank excessively; always needed money
Wife died from tuberculosis
He died 2 years later (1849) after being found delirious in
a bar
Wrote “The Raven” and “The Tell-Tale Heart”
Background of the Story:
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The “supreme madness of carnival season” is a time of merrymaking, feasting, costumes,
and parades celebrated just before lent. Festive carnival traditions remain popular today
in many parts of the world (like Mardi Gras in New Orleans). In this story, the narrator’s
choice of this time of year to exact his revenge was probably deliberate, not only because
people would be distracted but also because Fortunato would have likely been drinking
and celebrating and therefore unlikely to suspect any foul play. Although this story begins
during a time of carnival festivities, the setting soon shifts to the dark, cool burial vaults
under the narrator’s palace, where he also stores his wine. In such underground
cemeteries, called catacombs, bodies were placed in carved recesses along the walls of
burial chambers. It was cold, dark and damp.
Paraphrased sample of first paragraph:
I had put up with Fortunato’s abuse as well as I could, but when he insulted me, I was
determined to get even. However, I did not threaten him or give him any reason to worry. I would
get my revenge, all right, but in due time and without any risk to myself. Getting even is not
worth it if the person getting even is punished for what he has done. It is also not worth it unless
the target of the revenge understands that the person he has wronged is paying him back for
what he did.
NOTE: Remember that even from the very beginning of the story, Montressor’s plan is to kill
Fortunato without getting caught.
1. Fortunato had a talent. Even though it was also considered his weak point, Fortunato knew a
lot about ________________.
2. How did Fortunato greet Montressor when he saw him at the festival?
3. Give a reason as to why he greeted him this way.
4. Describe how Fortunato was dressed.
5. What did Montressor say he had that he wanted Fortunato to taste.
6. Why does he say he wants Fortunato to taste this?
7. Monstressor doesn’t want to inconvenience Fortunato, so he says he can
have _______________________ taste it instead. REMEMBER: THIS IS ALL A PART
OF THE REVENGE PLAN. IT’S LIKE SAYING TO A CHILD, “AWWW I DON’T WANT
TO BOTHER YOU…DON’T WORRY ABOUT TASTING THIS CANDY BAR – I CAN
GET SOMEONE ELSE WHO LIKES CHOCOLATE TO TASTE IT INSTEAD.”
8. Where do they have to go to taste the wine?
9. Why does Montressor say it might be better for Fortunato not to journey down into the vaults
(what does he notice about Fortunato?)
10. Explain why there were no attendants home at Montressor’s palace?
11. How was all this a part of his master plan?
12. What sound could be heard as they walked along?
13. What two physical ailments are an issue for Fortunato as he journeys into the catacombs?
14. Describe the conversation between the two men on page 347, lines 80-90. What is ironic
about this conversation?
15. Give the reason for drinking that each man gives in their “toast” to one another.
16. What is Montressor’s family motto?
17. How do you know that Fortunato and Montressor are travelling farther underground?
18. What tool is Montressor carrying with him?
19. What are the walls of the catacombs lined with?
20. What are the dimensions of the room where the Amontillado is located?
21. What did Montressor do as soon as Fortunato stepped into the vault?
22. When Montressor says “Once more let me implore you to return. No? Then I must positively
leave you. But I must first render you all the little attentions of my power.” What does this tell us
about his mental state?
23. What does Montressor build?
24. How does Fortunato’s cry change from that of a drunken man?
25. After he is done screaming, how does Fortunato respond to being buried alive?
26. How do we know that Fortunato died?
27. Why does Montressor feel sick?
28. How do you know that Montressor is an unreliable narrator?
29. From what point of view is this story told?
30. What is the importance of Montressor’s coat of arms? What literary term is this an example
of?
31. Why does Fortunato never ask why he’s being buried alive?
32. What is Montressor’s motive for this crime?
33. What is ironic about this story?
The Montressor
Coat of Arms
Stages of Tragedy:
Anticipation ~ Dream ~ Frustration ~ Nightmare ~ Destruction
Theme Topics:
Freedom & Confinement ~ Betrayal ~ Mortality ~ Foolishness