CASK OF AMONTILLADO By Edgar Allan Poe Edgar

CASK OF AMONTILLADO By: Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe (1809 -1849) • Born on January 19 th in Boston, MA– he was an American short story writer most known for his works of horror and mystery • Known as “Father of the Detective Story”

Family Life • Never really knew his family • Dad left his mom when he was just a baby • Mother passed away when he was 3 years old • Taken from siblings to live with two tobacco farmers, John and Frances Allan

A few setbacks… • Poe and John Allan often had money issues—when he went to university, Allan did not provide Poe with enough money. • Ended up gambling/falling into a life of debt • To make matters worse, when he returned home, the love of his life and fiancée was engaged to someone else

Career Beginnings • Though Poe had always been an avid writer, he never thought to make it a career until his experience at West Point. • Worked for magazine Southern Literary Messenger

Major Works • Poe became a literary sensation in 1845, after his publication of “The Raven”. Prior to this poem he also wrote several well-respected stories. • Common themes: death and loss

Mysterious Death • Poe continued to work even after the death of Virginia (his wife) in 1847, but he was in poor health and struggled financially. • On September 27, 1949 he was supposedly on his way to Philadelphia. Poe was found in Baltimore in great distress and was taken to the hospital. His last words were claimed to be, “Lord, help my poor soul”. • No one knows his exact cause of death. Some speculate alcoholism got the best of him, rabies, epilepsy, carbon monoxide poisoning etc…

Poe Myths • Was an opium addict • Drunk while writing/on drugs while writing • Expelled from school • Died drunk in a gutter

Carnival is a pre-Lent festival that is a “farewell to meat” celebrated in countries all over the world. First held in Venice in 11 th century Consisted of over two months of revelry.

Carnival continued… • Carnival as celebrated in the 18 th century was a series of masquerade balls. • Gambling • People of all social statuses wore masks and costumes • Theaters • Cafes, wine shops, “carnival” type booths

Catacombs

Catacombs • Ancient underground places of burial • Usually located under cities, though in “Cask of Amontillado”, our main character has one for his family line beneath his home • Tend to be decorated to identify, immortalize, and show respect to the dead