Name:_______________________________
Date:_____________
“The Cask of Amontillado”
Activity Packet
“Nobody attacks me without punishment.”
This packet is worth _______ points. Do not lose it. Bring it with you to class every day.
We will do some of this packet together and some of it you will do on your own. Be sure
to fill it in legibly. Do your best.
Notes:
Vocabulary:
Fill in the chart below. After looking up the definition in the dictionary, re-write the
definition in your own words.
Word
precluded
impunity
retribution
immolation
Part of Speech
Definition, synonym
connoissseurship
impose
recoiling
endeavored
obstinate
succession
Diction:
Diction is the author’s choice of words. Authors will choose certain words for their
effect based on their connotation. Connotation is the social meaning – it is what the wod
suggests to us beyond its dictionary meaning (denotation).
Word
He accosted me with
excessive warmth,….
I suffered him to hurry me
to my palazzo.
Three sides of this interior
crypt were still ornamented
in this manner.
Denotation
Connotation
Tone:
Tone is an author’s attitude toward a subject, character, or audience. It is conveyed
through the writer’s choice of words and details. Using 2-3 tone words (adjectives) tell
what you believe to be the tone of “The Cask of Amontillado” and provides words from
the story to support your claim.
Overall tone of the passage: ____________, _______________, _________________
Examples from the text:
Excerpt from Story
Tone Conveyed
Point of View:
Point of view is the perspective from which a story is told.
From what point of view is the story told?____________________________
How do you know? _____________________________________________
Is Montresor an unreliable narrator?_________________________________
Why or why not?________________________________________________
Setting:
Give the correct information for the setting.
Geographical Place
Physical Place
Atmosphere/Details
Irony:
Irony is a discrepancy between expectation and reality. There are three types of irony:
verbal, dramatic, situational. Find examples of each type from the story.
Excerpt from Story
Type of Irony
Why It Is Ironic
Discussion Questions:
We will discuss the following as a class. Be sure to take notes during the discussion to
use on future essays and/or tests.

To what extent can you sympathize with the narrator’s desire for revenge?
Have you ever wanted to get revenge with someone who insulted you?
Why do we usually not act out our revenge fantasies?

Poe believed that the first sentence of a story should communicate the
effect that the author is trying to create. Does Poe achieve that aim in this
story? Explain.

Describe the preparations and precautions Motresor undertook to achieve
his goal. What do these tell us about Montresor’s character?

According to Montresor, what is necessary for the perfect revenge? By
this standard, in Montresor’s revenge perfect?
Name:__________________________
Date:__________________
Questions for “The Cask of Amontillado”
Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Notice that each
question has more that one part.
1. Explain the narrator’s idea that he must not only punish, but punish with
impunity. What does he mean when he says that a wrong is undressed when
retribution overtakes its redresser? And why must the avenger make himself
know to his victim?
2. Explain the strategy used by the narrator to lure his victim to his death. How does
his understanding of human nature and character help the narrator accomplish his
grisly goal?
3. Explain what the story’s setting contributes to its tone and mood.
4. Explain how the story’s point of view contributes to tone.
5. What values guide the narrator’s behavior? What values does Fortunato seem to
live by?