"The Cask of Amontillado" Webquest

"The Cask of Amontillado" Webquest

For Ms. Montgomery's English/Literature Class

With your partner, the two of you will explore the world of Edgar Allen Poe's "Cask of Amontillado" through things such as the author's background, the background of the story, and the story itself. Navigate the webquest carefully and answer all questions provided for you on the worksheet handed out in class (digital version is available by clicking the gravestone on this page). Now, get ready to dive into the deep, horrific world of "The Cask of Amontillado".

Click this coffin to continue on to the webquest!

ALl About "The Cask of Amontillado"

Link to "The Cask of Amontillado"

About the Author

Comprehension Questions

Context for the short story

Symbols and Themes throughout

Some defining terms and definitions

Cast of characters and setting

Conclusion and Challenge

Now that you've read, here are some comprehension questions.

After reading over the short story fully, answer the following questions on your worksheet in complete sentences. You are allowed to use the story to look for your answers: - According to Montresor, why is he seeking revenge on Fortunato? Why is this motive purposefully vague for the reader? - What specific bait does Montresor use to lure Fortunato into the catacombs, and why is Fortunato so susceptible to it?

- What does Montresor's internal monologue reveal about his character? Provide one example of him planning ahead to ensure his success and "impunity." - Near the end, Montresor says his heart grew "sick—on account of the dampness of the catacombs." What is the literal interpretation of this statement, and what is the figurative interpretation? - In what ways might Montresor be considered an unreliable narrator? Why should the reader question the truth of his account?

The cast of characters and the Setting

By clicking the image of the wine cellar, you will learn the characters important to "The Cask of Amontillado", which is a brief description. By clicking the church icon below, you can learn the setting of the story. After briefly looking over these, go ahead to the next section of the quest to read the story in full.

Conclusion + Challenge to complete!

Congratulations! You have made it to the end of the webquest. Now, the next class, we will have a class discussion about "The Cask of Amontillado", but right now, you have a challenge. Between the end of class and the beginning of next class, you are tasked with writing the perfect revenge story. This perfect revenge story should be: - 1-3 pages long - Have a clear beginning, middle, and end - Contain two or more characters - Contain some sort of revenge plot - Have an unreliable narrator (This writing assignment can be found at the bottom of your worksheet!)

Rubric can be found by clicking the picture above!

All about the Author, Edgar allen poe

- What was Poe's most famous publication? How much did it make him? - What was the genre of writing that made Poe famous? - Summarize Poe's early life in one to two descriptive sentences. - .What was Poe able to do that writers before him could not?

The coffin will lead to a website that contains the biography of the author, Edgar Allen Poe. After reading the website carefully, write down the answers to the questions provided on the worksheet. Once you are done, move onto the context of the story to learn how and why Poe wrote "The Cask of Amontillado"

Some Important Terms and definitions before reading

Now knowing the context behind the story, there are some uncommon words and terms that relate to the story you will be reading. On your worksheet, using the help of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, define the following terms before moving on to characters: - Cask - Amontillado - Dramatic Irony - Catacombs - Connoisseur - Impunity - Retribution

Click the hand and it will lead you to the online dictionary!

What's the context behind the story?

By clicking the picture, you will learn about the context Poe used to write this short story. After reading through the context, write your answers to the following questions: - What is the holiday called and when is it usually celebrated? - What do scholars theorize about Medieval Carnivals? - How does Poe use the Carnival unconventionally in his story?

Clicking the cobwebs will lead you to the story!

You and your partner take time independently reading the text and wait until the both of you are done until you go onto the next part of the webquest. While reading the text, make note of the following things that happen throughout the text:

• What symbols appear that seem important to the story's plot.
• The relationship between characters
• The way Montresor recounts the murder (tone, feelings. etc.)
• The contrast of setting (the Carnival versus the Catacombs)
• How the story ends (what does it tell us?)

Simplified version

Original version

Now, let's look at symbols and themes.

With your partner, come up with at least five symbols and five themes are present throughout the story. As a reminder, a symbol is a person, place, object, or idea that has literal meaning but also a figurative one, and theme is an underlying message or big idea that the plot, characters, and setting are trying to convey. Put your answers on the worksheet under the symbols and themes section

Click the picture above just in case you need the story again!