The Cask of Amontillado (1846)

by Edgar Allan Poe

 Edgar Allan Poe
1809-1849
• American Author
• The writer, not the narrator,
of the story.
• Developed characters whose
sanity is questionable.
• Known as a significant contri
butor to the development of
the short story as a literary g
enre.
“…but when he ventured upon in
sult, I vowed revenge.”

“The Cask of Amontillado” is the

narrator’s account of his ability to
carry out a chilling plot of reveng
e against his offender.
 VOCABULARY

• Amontillado – (n) a pale, dry sherry (wine)

• Cask - (n) a large container like a barrel, ma

de of wood, metal or plastic and used for sto
ring liquids, typically alcoholic drinks

• Catacombs - underground burial chambers

Precision in time, place, and setti
ng allow the narrator both the retr
ibution he seeks and the impunity
he demands.
• Setting

Mid 1800s
Italy
Carnival Season
The narrator plans for his revenge
to take place in the catacombs be
neath his estate.

What are catacombs?

At a certain point in European history, cataco
mbs, underground burial chambers, became a
viable alternative to cemeteries.
Catacombs are characterized by extensive tunnels lea
ding to chambers or recesses where the dead repose f
or eternity.
The wealthy could opt for family
catacombs beneath their estates.
The narrator of “The Cask of Amontill
ado” carries out his revenge within the
catacombs beneath his palazzo.

The narrator is able to lure his victim i

nto the catacombs with the promise of
Amontillado, a fine sherry wine.
 The Storage of Wine

• The “supreme madness” of Carnival aside,

why doesn’t the suggestion of a journey to t
he catacombs for a taste of wine seem odd o
r suspicious to the victim?
For wines to maintain their best quality, t
hey need to be stored at fairly cool and c
onstant temperatures.
 “The Cask of Amontillado”

ENJOY THIS LITERARY JOUR

NEY INTO THE DARK SIDE O
F REVENGE!
 PLOT DIAGRAM
Title of Story: “The Cask of Amontillado” Author: Edgar Allan Poe

Climax:
Montresor chains Fortunato to the wall of the niche and Fortunato screams for mercy…

Rising Action: Falling Action:

Fortunato is intoxicated and not fully awar Montresor builds a stone wall and traps Fortunato
e of his surroundings inside…
Montresor claims that he has purchased a Montresor thrusts his torch into the crypt and hea
cask of wine and Fortunato has doubts abou rs only the jingling of the bells on Fortunato’s cap
t it being Amontillado (costume)…
Montresor invites Fortunato to his cataco Montresor replaces the pile of bones to cover the
mbs to taste his wine crypt’s entrance
niter, cough, Mason, code of arms

Exposition:
Italy, mid 1800s, Carnival Season
Montresor (wealthy, vengeful, clever,
sinister) and Fortunato (wine connoisse
ur, naïve and egotistical)
Fortunato is oblivious to the fact that
Montresor views him as an enemy.
Conflict:
•Montresor seeks revenge o
n Fortunato for inflicting a f
inal insult upon him.
Resolution:
Fortunato is left for dead—to “Rest
in Peace”—
Montresor confessing to something
that he did over 50 years ago…