Characters
Who is the narrator?
Montresor
What do the catacombs symbolize?
The catacombs symbolize death, decay, and revenge
What is the very FIRST setting of the story?
Carnival -- a Mardi Gras - like festival held in France.
How does the story end AFTER Fortunato is entombed?
Montresor is telling the story of his revenge 50 years later.
Why does Montresor repeatedly ask Fortunato if he wants to turn back?
He uses this tactic to further manipulate Fortunato.
What are some of Fortunato's character traits?
Pride and arrogance
What is the theme of "Cask of Amontillado?"
Revenge, deception, betrayal, pride, and justice (to name a few)
What does Montresor claim he has that entices Fortunato?
Amontillado -- a fancy wine.
What did Montresor do to ensure that he is not interrupted by his staff?
He told them he would be out all evening. His staff left to enjoy Carnival.
What can we infer about the friendship between Montresor and Fortunato?
The friendship is one sided. Montresor pretends to be Fortunato's friend ONLY to carry out revenge. His quickness to kill Fortunato suggests that Montresor never TRULY cared for Fortunato.
How does Montresor manipulate Fortunato throughout the story?
He fakes concern about Fortunato's health, calls him a friend, praises him, etc.
Why is it ironic that Fortunato is dressed like a jester?
A jester is a common embodiment of a fool. Montresor believes Fortunato is a fool because Fortunato let his pride and arrogance get in the way and it led him straight to his death.
How does Montresor appeal to Fortunato's pride?
He tells Fortunato that he is an expert on wine and that he knows he needs Fortunato's help He also mentions Fortunato's enemy. This makes Fortunato more inclined to follow.
How many injuries did Montresor suffer at the hands of Fortunato? Are they actual injuries?
1000. These injuries are a metaphor for insults
What does the story suggest about the power of revenge?
Revenge can consume a person to the point where morals are ignored.
Does Montresor view himself as a villain? Yes or no and WHY?
Montresor sees himself as the victim of Fortunato's insults. He believes his plan to kill is justified. He feels he has a moral obligation to take revenge on someone who hurt him.
The story repeatedly references the Freemasons -- the oldest "fraternity" in the world. This is an example of what type of figurative language?
Allusion references a historical moment, piece of literature, art, or media that the reader is expected to know and understand.
What happened first: Fortunato laughing as he was entombed or Fortunato crying as he was entombed?
Laughing
How does Fortunato's intoxication play a role in the overall plot of the story?
Because Fortunato is intoxicated, he was easier to manipulate. He was less aware of what was actually going on.
Montresor confesses what he did 50 years later. What does this suggest about his mental state NOW? There are 2 acceptable answers.
There is a shift in power dynamic as the story goes on. What is that shift? How does it shift?
At first, Fortunato seems more powerful because he has more money and resources. As the story goes on and Fortunato falls into the trap, he loses his power over Montresor.
What are the TWO main types of irony used in this story? And how are they used?
Dramatic: The audience knows that Montresor plans to kill Fortunato.
Verbal: Montresor says many things that can be ironic -- his "care" for Fortunato's wellbeing, referencing a "long life," etc.
Why does Montresor choose Carnival as the place to enact his revenge?
Carnival is a place of masks and costumes. There is so much going on that no one would notice Fortunato's absence.
Montresor's family motto is "No one attacks me with impunity." How does this further the plot?
It further justifies his act of revenge. He believes he has a commitment to avenging his family name.
Why did Poe never reveal Fortunato's insult to Montresor? How does it affect the reader's perception of the characters.
The reader is missing a huge plot point of the story -- WHY he decided to take revenge. This makes it harder to sympathize with Montresor on the reader's part.