By Edgar Allan Poe

Exposition First three lines: “The Thousand

injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.

Revenge means death

What do we learn about the character telling the story?

Montressor’s motive for revenge- he has been insulted by Fortunato

Characterization What kind of character is the

narrator?

Devious, acts as though he is still a friend of Fortunato

Page 95 bottom of last paragraph of the first column

Characterization What kind of character is

Fortunato?

Prided himself on his expert knowledge (connoisseurship of wine)

Does Montressor use this against him?

Setting Dusk One evening During the supreme madness

of the carnival

Why does Poe choose this as the setting?

Irony Fortunato wore motley. Page 96

second paragraph What does motley mean?

Fortunato wore a clown costume.

Why is this ironic? What type of irony?

Why is Montressor so happy to see Fortunato? Page 96 “I was so pleased to

see him that I thought o should never done wringing his hand.”

Verbal Irony: “ My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.”

Luchesi How does this character play a role

in the plot? Bottom of page 96 first column Plays on Fortunato’s ego and baits

him saying he will go to someone else to determine if the wine is really a rare Amontillado

Montressor hopes Fortunato will insist on doing it himself

Foreshadowing Second Column fourth

paragraph

Disguise self; no servants home

Setting Damp, dark catacombs

(burial place) for the Montressors family

Verbal Irony“Come,” I said, with decision, “we will go back; your health is precious.”

Montressor does not care about Fortunato’s health

Motivation “You are rich, respected, admired,

beloved; you are as happy as I once was.”

What could add to his motivation to kill Fortunato through revenge?

Irony “Enough,” he said; “the cough is a

mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough.”

Why is this statement ironic?

Fortunato will die of a cough but by murder

Irony Bottom of first column on page 97 “I drink,” he said, “to the buried

that repose around us.” “And I to your long life.”

What kind of irony is this? Verbal

Coat of Arms Picture and family motto Symbolism Montressor’s evil character and

intent is just like his family’s coat of arms A huge human foot in a field. The foot crushes the serpent whose fangs are embedded in the heel.

Top of second column page 97

Family Motto page 97 “Nemo me impune

lacessit.” Latin No one can attack me

without being punished

Reread aloud second column page 97 What TWO meanings does masonry

have here?

Which man uses the Freemasons meaning?

Which man interprets the masonry meaning?

Why does this add to the plot?Montressor will use his skills in masonry

to wall up his victim.

Why is it so easy for Montressor to chain Fortunato? Intoxicated Not expecting it to happen

Was this murder premeditated? Read the second column on page

98 Middle of the passage “True,” I replied, “The

Amontillado.”

“As I said these words I busied myself among the pile of bones of which I have before spoken…”

How can you tell Montressor is deranged? Bottom of second column on page

98

As Fortunato furiously and uselessly tries to shake out the chains, Montressor sits down among the bones to take pleasure in torturing his victim.

Does Montressor feel remorse? Page 100 last paragraph of the

story Read aloud “No answer still…”

Irony

The title “Cask” comes from the same root as coffin

Verbal

We know Fortunato is aware and approves the fact that Montroessor’s family motto vows revenge

Dramatic

Irony

The Amontillado never exists in the story Situational

Fortunato insists that Luchesi cannot judge sherry from Amontillado- Fortunato cannot judge a friend from foe

Situational

Irony

Montressor’s insistence that he is a mason is juxtaposed (placed side by side as a comparison) with Fortunato’s secret sign of the masons

Situational

Irony

Montressor’s crime takes place during a major celebration

Situational

Irony

The confidence of Montressor is shaken when he becomes upset by the last jingling of the bells on Fortunato’s hat

Situational

Irony

We realize as the story progresses that Fortunato’s clown costume is symbolic of being a fool walking to his death

Dramatic