Cask of Amontillado

The Cask of Amontillado

Short Story

• What makes a narrator unreliable, and how does Montresor’s perspective influence our interpretation of the events in the story?
• How does The Cask of Amontillado explore the theme of revenge, and what does the story suggest about its consequences?
• What characteristics of Gothic literature are present in The Cask of Amontillado, and how do they enhance the mood and themes of the story?

Essential Questions

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Analyze the elements of Gothic literature as they appear in The Cask of Amontillado.
• Identify and interpret the use of irony and foreshadowing in the story.
• Discuss themes of revenge, betrayal, and pride. Evaluate Montresor as an unreliable narrator.

Learning Objectives

Isolation and Alienation

Themes of Death

Victims and Villians

Psychological Torment

Supernatural Elements

Dark, Mysterious Settings

Key Characteristics of Gothic Literature:

A Journey into the Dark and Mysterious

Gothic literature is a genre that emerged in the late 18th century, combining elements of horror, romance, and the supernatural. It is characterized by its focus on the darker side of human nature and the world, often exploring themes of death, madness, fear, and the unknown. The genre takes its name from the Gothic architecture of the medieval period, which inspired the eerie settings and atmosphere typical of Gothic stories.

Gothic Literature

Gothic literature explores the darker aspects of human existence, often using fear, suspense, and the supernatural to reflect on the complexity of human emotions and moral dilemmas. By presenting characters who confront death, madness, or evil, Gothic literature invites readers to reflect on their own fears and the hidden darkness within society and themselves. It remains a powerful genre because it challenges the boundaries of reality and imagination, making readers question what is truly terrifying.Major Works and Authors in Gothic Literature:

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)
• Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)
• The Fall of the House of Usher and The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe (1839, 1843)
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (1847)
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847)

Gothic literature has had a lasting impact on modern horror and suspense genres, influencing literature, film, and pop culture with its atmospheric settings and exploration of psychological terror.

The Purpose of Gothic Literature

Montresor: The narrator of the story, Montresor is a man who seeks revenge against his acquaintance, Fortunato. He is cunning, manipulative, and deceptive. Throughout the story, he carefully plans and executes his revenge, leading Fortunato to his demise in the catacombs beneath his palazzo. Montresor's motives for seeking revenge are not explicitly stated in the story, adding to the air of mystery surrounding his character. Fortunato: Fortunato is a wine connoisseur and a seemingly wealthy and respected man. He is depicted as arrogant, boastful, and easily manipulated by Montresor. Fortunato's downfall comes from his excessive pride in his knowledge of wine, which leads him to follow Montresor into the catacombs under the guise of tasting a rare wine, the Amontillado. Despite his intelligence and wit, Fortunato ultimately falls victim to Montresor's carefully orchestrated plan.

Characters

Aperture (noun) : a narrow opening

Fetter (verb) : to chain with shackles

Niche (noun) : a small recess in the wall

Circumscribe (verb) : to enclose or be constructed around

Trowel (noun) : a hand tool with a flat blade

Grotesque (adjective) : repulsively ugly or disfigured

Gesticulation (noun) : a gesture or motion

Abscond (verb) : to leave, usually in a hurried or secretive manner

Connoisseur (noun) : an expert in a particular subject

Immolation (noun) : death as a sacrifice

Redress (verb) : to correct or address something that is unfair or wrong

Impunity (noun) : freedom from consequences

Preclude (verb) : to prevent something from happening

Utterance (noun) : the act of saying something out loud

Vocabulary

abscond

The thief managed to _______________ with the stolen jewels before anyone noticed they were gone.

gesticulation

His wild ______________ during the speech showed how passionately he felt about the issue.

aperture

The narrow ______________ in the rock allowed only a sliver of light to pass through.

FILL IN THE BLANKS Vocabulary GAME

Redress

Gesticulation

Impunity

Trowel

Abscond

Aperture

Assent

Utterance

Niche

Circumscribe

Connoisseur

Apathy

connoisseur

As a true ______________ of classical music, he could identify composers after hearing just a few notes.

utterance

His ____________ startled everyone, as they didn’t expect him to speak so suddenly.

redress

To _____________ the problem, the manager promised to implement new procedures to ensure fairness.

immolation

The ___________ of the victim was seen as a tragic and unnecessary sacrifice.

FILL IN THE BLANKS Vocabulary GAME

Immolation

Redress

Fetter

Impunity

Utterance

Immolation

Trowel

Preclude

Grotesque

Connoisseur

Niche

Aperture

niche

The ancient temple had a small ____________ in the wall where offerings were placed.

Preclude

The rain was so heavy that it did ____________ any chance of us going on a picnic.

circumscribe

The contract will _______________ all parties involved, ensuring no one can back out.

fetter

The prisoners were _______________ with chains, making it impossible for them to escape.

FILL IN THE BLANKS Vocabulary GAME

Gesticulation

Circumscribe

Abscond

Aperture

Preclude

Fetter

Immolation

Circumscribe

Preclude

Redress

Grotesque

Impunity

grotesque

The grotesque statue was both _____________ and fascinating, drawing the attention of all who passed by.

trowel

The gardener used a _____________ to carefully plant the seedlings in the flowerbed.

impunity

With _____________, she broke every rule, knowing that no one would punish her.

FILL IN THE BLANKS Vocabulary GAME

Trowel

Niche

Impunity

Abscond

Fetter

Utterance

By Edgar Allan Poe

The Cask of Amontillado

As you read, click on the icons for definitions and other information to help you better understand what you are reading. Click on the questions that occur as you read to confirm understanding.

Audio Book

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

Audio Book

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

Audio Book

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

Audio Book

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

Audio Book

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

Audio Book

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

Audio Book

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

Audio Book

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

Audio Book

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

Read the story, link to PDF in Module 1.

1. Why do you think Montresor tells his audience this story? Can you trust the Montresor as the narrator? Why or why not? Consider the moments when Montresor addresses his audience.
2. Montresor claims to be concerned for Fortunato's health. Why might Montresor do this? Explain your answer.

ReviewQuestions

Supernatural Elements: Gothic literature frequently includes supernatural beings like ghosts, vampires, or unexplained phenomena. These elements add to the sense of mystery and fear. Example: In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the reanimation of the dead through science blurs the line between life and death, creating a sense of horror.

Themes of Death and Decay: Themes of mortality, decay, and the inevitable passage of time are central to Gothic literature. Characters are often haunted by death, either literally or metaphorically. Example: In Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher, the physical decay of the family estate mirrors the psychological and moral decay of its inhabitants.

Psychological Torment: Characters in Gothic literature often experience intense psychological distress, grappling with fear, guilt, or madness. The genre delves deep into the human mind, often blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination. Example: In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper, the protagonist’s mental deterioration is depicted as she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper in her room, revealing the horrors of isolation and madness.

Dark, Mysterious Settings:Gothic stories are often set in creepy or isolated locations such as ancient castles, decaying mansions, or dark forests. These settings evoke a sense of fear, suspense, and foreboding. The architecture is often grand but crumbling, symbolizing decay and the passage of time. Example: The dark, underground catacombs in Edgar Allan Poe's The Cask of Amontillado create a claustrophobic and terrifying atmosphere.

Isolation and Alienation: Characters in Gothic literature are often physically or emotionally isolated, which contributes to their descent into madness or despair. This isolation amplifies the sense of helplessness and terror. Example: In The Cask of Amontillado, Montresor lures Fortunato into a hidden, underground catacomb, isolating him completely from the outside world and sealing his fate.

Victims and Villains: Gothic literature frequently portrays innocent or helpless victims who are preyed upon by evil villains. The dynamic between victim and villain often symbolizes the struggle between good and evil.Example: In Bram Stoker's Dracula, Count Dracula is a predatory figure who victimizes young women, representing the forces of darkness and evil.