cask of amontillado notes

American authorEdgar Allen Poe

Edgar Allen Poe

born: 1809died: 1846

Edgar Allen Poe

Poe made “short stories” popular in America.

Edgar Allen Poe

Poe made “short stories” popular in America.We ask about Poe’s characters: are they sane or insane?

Edgar Allen Poe

Poe’s Biography:

Poe’s family life was sad:

Poe’s Biography:

Poe’s family life was sad:His parents were actors.

Poe’s Biography:

Poe’s family life was sad:His parents were actors.His father left the family when he was one.

Poe’s Biography:

Poe’s family life was sad:His parents were actors.His father left the family when he was one.His mother died when he was two.

Poe’s Biography:

Poe’s family life was sad:His parents were actors.His father left the family when he was one.His mother died when he was two.The orphaned children lived in different places.

Poe’s Biography:

He published his first stories at 19. His poems and stories were popular.

Poe’s Biography:

He published his first stories at 19. His poems and stories were popular.He died at age 37.

Poe’s parents, brother, sister and wife died at young ages. These sad stories influenced his ideas.

Poe’s parents, brother, sister and wife died at young ages. Their sad stories influenced his ideas.

Most of Poe’s stories are about death and murder!

Many of Poe’s works are about the macabre.

Many of Poe’s works are about the macabre.*

*ghosts and horror.

His most famous poem: The Raven.

Poe wrote The Raven after his young wife, Virginia, died of lung disease.

Virginia Clemm Poe

The Cask of Amontillado: set in a basement.

...not this basement..but Poe lived

in this Philadelphia house.

Carnevale di Venizia

Carnival of Venice

People in USA celebrate Carnival. In New Orleans, it is called Mardi Gras.

Carnival: a holiday 40 days before Easter.

During the 40 days before Easter, many Christians give up things they like (meat, candy, parties).

They celebrate carnival before they begin the 40 days.

Carne + ValGood bye

alcohol + costumes = ????

Palazzos (palaces or mansions)

Amontillado(a fine wine)

a cask wine

making casks

a cask wine

making casks

Cask? ...or

Cask? ...or Casket?

Dry cellar walls.

Damp cellar walls covered with nitre.

Masons –or freemasons-- are a club.

Freemasons are a club.

trowel

using a trowel

Coat of Arms ( family symbol)

No one atta

cks me w

ithout p

unishment

The Cask of Amontillado is set in the catacombs.

What are catacombs?

Catacombs:

Catacombs: underground cemeteries

Paris Catacombs*Under the city*Bones of 5 to 6 million people. *Beginning around 1790, cemeteries were full. Pollution was a big problem.*Solution: Poor people put dead bodies underground.

Rich people built catacombs for their families under their palaces.

The Cask of Amontillado “…but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.”

The narrator tells how he gets revenge against his friend.

revenge

Montresor

Fortunado is terrible!He insulted me too many times!I will get revenge!

Montresor

Fortunado loves wine.I will fool him...!

Montresor

Fortunado

Montres

orFortunado

Montresor

No one atta

cks me w

ithout p

unishment

trowel

"For the love of god! Montresor!” "Yes" I said, "For the love of god!"

When at last the clanking subsided, I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier.

The wall was now nearly upon a level with my breast.

I ceased my labours and sat down upon the bones.

title and author:The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe

point of view: first person point of view

setting: carnival, Italy

characters: the narrator Montresor, Fortunado (ironic name)

plot: Montresor lures Fortunado into his cellar.

conflict: Montresor wants revenge from Fortunado’s insults.

climax: Montresor chains Fortunado in the cellar and builds a wall around him to bury him alive. No one hears his screams.

resolution: Montresor tells this story fifty years later.

Elements of a Story: The Cask of Amontillado

Questions

• Do you think people outside hear screams from Montresor’s catacombs?

• Will you visit your friend’s catacombs?

Comprehension Check1. The narrator of the story says that Fortunato has _______________ him since childhood.a. been angry atb. made fun ofc. been good friends withd. given him money

2. Fortunato last words were that he thought the whole thing was a __________ .a. jokeb. terrible crimec. bad dreamd. demonstration of wall building

3. Fortunato didn't suspect anything because he thought that the narrator was his ________ .a. enemyb. wife's loverc. future employerd. friend

4. Amontillado is a type of ______________ .a. festivalb. winec. many colored costumed. restaurant

5. On the way down to the wine cellar, the narrator and Fortunato had to go past some _________ .a. tombsb. other celebrantsc. wet rocksd. other wines

6. As they walked further into the wine cellar, Fortunato began to ____________ .a. laughb. singc. stumbled. cough

7. Fortunato stared stupidly at two _______________ that were attached to the wall. He didn't know they were meant for him.a. handcuffsb. whipsc. knivesd. bricks

8. Before the narrator placed the last brick, he called Fortunato's name, however, he heard _____________ .a. only a low crying soundb. Fortunato's cursec. no answerd. the sound of scratching

9. Another name for this story could be ________________ .a. "An Italian Festival"b. "The Best Wine in Rome"c. "Wealthy Italian Families"d. "Fortunato's Fortune”

10. The story is mainly about _______________ .a. Italian wineb. a tale of revengec. two rich Italians d. how to find tombs

cask of amontillado notes

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