The Cask of Amontillado

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

The Cask of Amontillado

Edgar Allen Poe

Assignment

With the use of the next slides we will be analysing The Cask of Amontillado.

Have your short story, answers to the study questions and pen and paper ready. 

Ask questions whenever you feel like it.

Question 1

The blending of horror and humour.

How is the way Fortunato is dressed considered to be humorous?

Why would an author use humour side by side with horror?

How is the way Fortunado is dressed considered to be horror?

Add the two and you get.......?

Questions 2+3

Narrator

Who's the narrator of this short story?

1. Fortunato
2. Edgar Allen Poe
3. Montresor
4. Amontillado

Is Montresor a reliable narrator and why?

How is it ironic that Montresor is the protagonist and Fortunado the antagonist?

How could a narrator manipulate the truth?

1. Through telling lies.
2. Through telling only his/her side of the story.
3. By using the 'I' form.
4. By giving reasons without explaining why.

The narrator's attitude changes with the progressing of the story. How does it change?

Why is Montresor a 'good' villian?

Question 4

Antagonist

Describe Fortunado in one word.

Does the reader get to know why Fortunado must die?

Question 5

Setting

What is the setting of the narrative?

1. Carnaval
2. Catacombs
3. Winecellar
4. Somewhere in France

What's the irony in the setting?

What elements of the setting are typical of a horror story?

Question 6

Themes

What are the themes in The Cask of Amontillado?

Question 7

irony/sarcasm/satire

irony

satire

sarcasm

using language that signifies the opposite

use of irony to mock

exposing and critizing someone's stupidity

Page 3

"I shall not die of a cough."

"True, true," I replied.

Which is sarcasm and which is irony and why?

Page 3

"I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us."

"And I to your long life."

Which is sarcasm and which is irony and why?

What makes this short story a satire?

CITO questions

On page 1, Montresor compares himself to Fortunado. Write down the first two words of the sentence that states this likeness.

On page 2 how does Montresor get Fortunado to come with him?

On page 3 the reader is confronted with what might be a reason for Montresor's actions. Write down the phrase that gives it away.

On page 5 how does Montresor manage to quieten Fortunado?

1. By sitting down and doing nothing.
2. By using his sword.
3. By yelling back even louder.

On page 6 how does Fortunado try to change Montresor's mind?

1. By yelling at him.
2. By mentioning that certain people are waiting for him.
3. By indicating that the joke was fun while it lasted.