“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe
Setting: What is the time and place of the story? What evidence tells us so?
Place: Italy Probably Venice - nitre
Time: Dusk when day fades into night – “It was about dusk” is where story begins and action takes place during
that night.
Point of view: who is telling the story? What is the character like? What lies does the narrator tell? Give
evidence to his character.
The main character is telling the story in the first person. He is sly, conniving and a liar – Untrustworthy. He lies
about the wine, masonry, Luchesi etc. He is jealous of Fortunato and feels Fortunato has insulted him and he
seeks revenge. Because of all the lies he tells throughout the story he is untrustworthy to the reader and
misleading as we do not know how Fortunato has insulted him. Therefore is the narrator is not trustworthy how
do we know to trust the story.
Characters: discuss the names, the personalities, the interaction they have with one another.
Fortunato: Irony in name as he is in fact unfortunate – Jester (clothing), buffoon – egotistical which leads to his
own demise
Montressor: unreliable as narrator – vengeful, dark humour, calmness in act – psychopathic
Luchesi: Instrument in Montressor’s plan – brings out Forzunato’s egotistical – merely mentioned for plot
Themes: What types of themes do you come across while reading this story?
Overexaggeration
Freedom vs Entrapment
Revenge
Impunity
Reality vs fiction
Mood & Tone: What affect does the Dark Humor have on the tone and mood of the story?
Tone: The narrator is very assertive and doesn’t hesitate – shows evil nature, dark humour is used to espress his
evilness
Mood: The reader feels apprehensive as to what might happen next – always hints (dark humour) but the reader
is uncertain as to what they hint to – the writer mentions at the beginning that he wants to punish Fortunato –
creates suspense
Gothic Elements: what elements are included in this story that make it gothic?
Setting – night time
Catacombs
Nitre
Pile of bones
Dark humour
Vocabulary: give ten examples of accurate word choice to insure the reader sees the image intended.
1. Impunity: Freedom from punishment
2. Unredressed:
3. Immolation: Sacrifice someone (kill)
4. Absconded: escape in order to avoid something
5.
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Gait: manner of walking
Rheum: liquid discharge from eyes, nose or mouth
Puncheons: large casks of wine
Fettered: chain someone’s feet/ankles
Hearken: Listen pay attention
Rapier: sword with long slender blade
Clamorer: demand noisily or desperately
Rampart: protect something (fortify)
Literary Devices: What literary devices does Poe use to create the exact effect that he intends? Give evidence of
each, especially of the three types of Irony.
Narrative Irony:
Dramatic Irony:
Gothic Irony:
Irony created by Montressor: “And I to your long life” - Montressor
Irony created by Author: “I shall not die of a cough” – Fortunato
Plot: Luchesi: what is his importance to the story?
We never meet Luchesi throughout the whole story but he is very important to the plot because he as a
character is not significant but he is used by Montressor to entice and manipulate Fortunato into coming with
Montressor to inspect the wine – he is an instrument in Montressor’s plan – he is there to bring out Fortunato’s
ego
Plot: Fortunato makes a sign and asks Montressor if he is of the brotherhood, if he is a Mason.
a) What is a Mason? Someone who works with building stone
b) Explain the double meaning that Montressor gives the word “mason”. Mason can also mean
someone who is part of the brotherhood of the freemasons who are known as ‘free’ - irony
c) Explain the significance of this exchange between Montressor and Fortunato as relates to the word
“mason”. Montressor says he is of the masons yet he uses the one meaning when Fortunato means
the other and Montressor is in effect teasing Fortunato about his fate. Gives reader a hint of fate
Plot: Analyze each of Montressor’s actions:
a) The Amontillado wine being purchased
The Amontillado wine is never actually seen throughout the story so it is doubtful that Montressor even bought
the wine so it is just used as a tool by Montressor to lure Fortunato into Montressor’s catacombs
b) Asking for Luchesi’s help
The same as the wine, the reader never sees Montressor ask for Luchesi’s help so it may never have been done
and this is another lie by the narrator to help along his plan for Fortunato
c) House being empty of all servants
Shows forward planning of Montressor – went to trouble of making sure there were no servants there to disturb
him in his plans. Should also have been hint to Fortunato that something was amiss at the house but Forunato
was blinded by his greed for the wine
d) Mentioning of the nitre
Hint for Fortunato that this may not end well.
e) Insisting that Fortunato drink more and more
Wants to get Fortunato slowly drunk so that his job will be made easier – Harder for Fortunato to put up a fight
if he is drunk –shows forward planning of Montressor.
f) Mimicking Fortunato as he screams and cries out
Taunting and teasing gives narrator pleasure and shows his need for him to have the last word. Loss of calm and
coolness shows loss of control – psychopathic nature- enjoying the moment
g) Act of burying Fortunato alive: why does he commit such an act? Is it reasonable punishment for the
infraction?
He commits this act out of jealousy and rage at Fortunato for whatever insult he committed against Montressor.
I believe Montressor also enjoyed the planning and the burial that came with the task – psychopath. Since we as
a reader never actually learn what the insult against Montressor was and judging by the untrustworthy nature of
Montressor the reader begins to doubt whether there even was such an insult.