“The Cask of Amontillado”

By: Edgar Allan Poe

What is a cask? A wooden barrel or

container

The word comes from the Spanish cáscara which means tree bark, in the sense that the bark surrounds and holds the tree in the way that a cask surrounds and holds wine

Amontillado… a pale, dry sherry

named after the Montilla region of Spain where this style of wine originated in the 18th century

Setting: Carnival Season in Italy It is a festival season. Occurs immediately

before Lent; the main events are usually during February or March.

Involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus and public street party.

People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations.

Carnival or Carnevale Carnival is mostly

associated with Roman Catholic and, to a lesser extent, Eastern Orthodox Christians.

The world's largest carnival celebration is held in Brazil but many countries worldwide have large, popular celebrations.

Carnival Costumes and Masks

“The man wore motley” (7).

Catacombs A network of caves, grottos, or

subterranean place that is used for the burial of the dead

Etruscans used to bury their dead in underground chambers. Christians revived the practice because they did not want to cremate their dead due to their belief in bodily resurrection. Hence they began to bury their dead, first in simple graves and sometimes in burial vaults.

Have you seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?

Catacombs

Catacombs

Montresor’s Coat of Arms “A human foot d’or, in a

field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel” (9).

“Nemo me impune lacessit” (9).

Latin meaning “No one attacks me with impunity.” No one attacks me without being punished.

Fetters a kind of physical

restraint used on the feet or ankles to allow walking but prevent running and kicking

also called shackles or footcuffs

Freemasons vs. Masons Freemasonry is a fraternity,

or brotherhood, that aims to make good men better and to support each other.

A mason a person whose trade is building with units of various natural or artificial mineral products, as stones, bricks, cinder blocks, or tiles, usually with the use of mortar or cement as a bonding agent.

Things to consider as we read: Characters Narrator Point of View Setting

Suspense Mood Conflict Irony