Definitions
What does Amontillado mean?
A rare type of sherry wine
Fortunato is led deeper into the ______, a place that symbolizes both death and Montresor’s hidden intentions
Catacombs
How does Amontillado function as more than just wine in the story?
It symbolizes temptation, deception, and Fortunato’s pride, which Montresor exploits.
Explain the irony in Montresor’s wish for Fortunato’s eternal repose.
It’s ironic because he is actually planning his death, making the “wish” sinister.
Compare connoisseur and impunity in the story; how do they work together to ensure Fortunato’s downfall?
Fortunato’s pride in his expertise makes him trust Montresor, whose confidence in impunity allows the plan to succeed
What does preclude mean?
To prevent or make impossible
This term describes Fortunato’s overconfidence in wine knowledge, which Montresor exploits.
Connoisseur
Explain how Montresor’s careful planning precludes detection. Include one example from the text.
Using the carnival chaos and Fortunato’s trust, Montresor ensures no one follows him, preventing suspicion
How do the catacombs function symbolically beyond being a burial site?
They symbolize death, secrecy, family legacy, and Montresor’s hidden intentions.)
How does Montresor’s preclude strategy demonstrate manipulation, and what does it reveal about his character?
He carefully blocks any chance of discovery, showing cunning, patience, and moral detachment.
What does impunity mean?
Freedom from punishment
The word for extreme skill or mastery applies both to Montresor’s planning of revenge and to an artist’s performance.
virtuoso
How does Montresor’s belief in impunity reflect his moral worldview?
He thinks revenge is justified as long as he faces no consequences, showing his cold reasoning
Discuss the irony in Montresor’s “virtuoso” execution of revenge.
Virtuoso implies artistry, but here it is applied to murder, showing Poe’s dark irony.
Analyze how virtuoso, accost, and repose work together to heighten the Gothic tone of the story.
Montresor’s skillful (virtuoso) manipulation (accost) and the ironic suggestion of rest (repose) create suspense and dark artistry.
What does fetter mean?
Chain or shackle
Montresor wishes Fortunato this word while knowing he will never experience true rest again.
Repose
How does retribution relate to Montresor’s idea of family honor?
He frames killing Fortunato as restoring his family’s pride, masking personal vengeance as justified punishment.
How does Fortunato’s name and his eventual retribution exemplify situational irony?
Fortunato” means fortunate, but he suffers a deserved death.
How do catacombs and Amontillado function as dual symbols of temptation and death? Use text evidence
Amontillado entices Fortunato while catacombs physically trap him, combining lure and doom.
This word for “wine expert” also suggests Fortunato’s prideful personality
Connoisseur
"Montresor’s greeting at the carnival was designed to ______ Fortunato, initiating the trap.”
Accost
Choose one character trait of Fortunato revealed by his role as a connoisseur and explain how it contributes to his downfall.
Pride; it blinds him to danger and makes him an easy target for Montresor
Explain how Montresor’s use of the Amontillado symbolizes both temptation and the human tendency toward pride.
It lures Fortunato to his doom, exploiting his arrogance and desire to appear knowledgeable
Synthesize the use of impunity, retribution, and virtuoso to explain how Poe explores the tension between justice and cruelty
Montresor believes his act is justified (retribution), he executes it flawlessly (virtuoso), and assumes he will escape consequences (impunity), showing moral ambiguity.