Name: __________________________________________________________
Pd: __________
“The Cask of Amontillado”
By Edgar Allen Poe
1. As the story begins, what is the narrator upset about? Who is the conflict between?
Fortunato vs. Narrator – Fortunato has insulted the narrator and wants revenge. Insult is unknown.
2. What skill is Fortunato known to have?
Wine connoisseur
3. What event is going on at the time the story is taking place and what condition do we find Fortunato in?
Carnival similar to Mardi Gras – Fortunato is drunk
4. Who is Luchesi and why does the narrator tell Fortunato that he is going to see him?
Another “supposed” wine connoisseur; narrator uses this to convince Fortunato to come with him as Fortunato is
sensitive about the subject and wishes to be known as the best. Any mention of Luchesi is a blow to Fortunato’s ego and
pushes him to get more involved with the narrator’s game.
5. On page 235, we finally learn the family name of the narrator. What is it?
Montresor
6. Where must the narrator and Fortunato go to find the Amontillado? Describe this area.
Into the catacombs. Underground passageway; dark, damp, niter (salt deposits) growing on walls from dampness and
moisture of being underground. Human bones scattered about. Recesses off the main tunnel where tombs are. Eerie.
7. What is wrong with Fortunato that causes the narrator to mention turning back on several occasions?
He has a cold and a cough. He mentions this to pretend as if he is concerned about Fortunato’s health. He also often
mentions this with Luchesi’s name in order to push Fortunato along in his plan.
8. What does the narrator offer Fortunato to help “keep him warm”?
Wine. This serves to keep him drunk and unaware of what is really going on.
9. Why does the narrator keep mentioning Luchesi? What effect does this have on Fortunato?
Fortunato is in a sense jealous of Luchesi’s reputation and wishes that he is known as the best wine connoisseur.
Fortunato continues on this little journey to prove his skill and maintain his reputation. Montroser knows this and
continues to use Luchesi as Fortunato’s “Achilles heel” if you will. Fortunato refuses to turn back as he must be part of
this Amontillado tasting and identification. It is also important to note that Amontillado was hard to come by during
carnival, so if Montresor does have it, that is impressive.
10. Describe the Montresor family’s coat of arms. What is its motto?
A huge gold human foot against a blue background with the foot crushing a snake that is rearing up and biting the heel.
“Nobody attacks me without punishment” – this aligns directly with Montresor’s mentality at the moment as he will stop
at nothing to seek revenge on Fortunato.
11. Fortunato signals to the narrator – a sign Montresor does not understand. What does the sign tell us about
Fortunato?
He is a member of the Freemasons Brotherhood. A secret society of people who believe in brotherhood giving to the
poor, and helping one another. These secret signs are used to help recognize who belongs to the society.
12. Montresor jokes that he is a mason – what does he mean by this?
He reveals his trowel (brick/mortar tool) and jokes that he also is a mason or bricklayer. This is foreshadowing to what he
will do to Fortunato once he has trapped him and chained him up. There is a sense that Fortunato is concerned about this
moment as he steps back a bit in fear.
13. As the men make their way through the passageway, Montresor continues to offer Fortunado his arm and notes that
“he leaned upon it heavily”. What clue does this give us?
Fortunato is drunk and thus Montresor is taking advantage of his physical and mental state of mind, tricking him into this
situation.
14. What is scattered about on the floor of the vault?
Human remains/bones – foreshadowing that Montresor bones will be next to join them. A symbol of death.
15. What does Montresor do to Fortunato when he reaches the nook in the end of the passageway?
Chains him to the wall so that he cannot escape
16. What does Montresor do next to ensure Fortunato stays put?
Uses his trowel to lay brick and mortar, layer by layer, until he has built up a wall in front of Fortunato
17. As Montresor secures the final stone, Montresor begins to laugh deeply and then begins talking to Montresor about
this “joke” and how they will laugh about it over their wine later in the palazzo. Why do you think he is acting this way?
Is he serious?
Several possible answers – he actually knows what is happening and is in shock and terrible fear. Results to nervous
joking and laughter. He is still clueless and thinks this is a big joke and congratulates Montresor on pulling one over on
him. He is still a bit drunk and acting odd.
18. The final line of the story reads, “For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them [human remains]. In pace
requiescat.” What is this final comment by Montresor an example of?
Verbal irony. Considering he has brought this man to his death he probably could care less if he “rests in peace”.