The Cask of Amontillado Background The Cask of
The Cask of Amontillado
§ Background § The Cask of Amontillado § Published 1846 § One theory for the inspiration for story was a feud Poe had with 2 other poets § The story was somewhat controversial for focusing his story on a crime with no apparent motive, and a murderer with no apparent remorse
§ The Cask of Amontillado § Overview § The story is narrated by Montresor, who carries a grudge against Fortunato for an offense that is never explained § Montresor leads a drunken Fortunato through a series of chambers beneath his palazzo
§ The Cask of Amontillado § Overview § Although Fortunato has a horrible cough the promise of a taste of Amontillado spurs him deeper and deeper into the underground § When the two men reach the last underground chamber, Montresor chains Fortunato to the wall, builds a new wall to seal him in, and leaves him to die
§ Literary Focus § Themes and Conflicts § Revenge § Madness § Deception § Remorse vs. Lack of Remorse § Pride § Friendship § Power and Respect § Social Classes and Social Significance within Society
§ Literary Focus § Symbols § Montresor’s Coat of Arms and motto, Nemo me impune lacessit § Irony § The Usage of a Trowel § A foot in a blue background crushing a snake whose fangs are embedded in the foot's heel § “No one attacks me with impunity” § Both the coat of arms and motto are representative of Montresor’s lust for revenge § He will crush Fortunado for the “injuries” he has given § Fortunado belongs to a secret society called the Freemasons § Montresor says he is also a mason, but then produces a trowel used for regular masonry work § Fortunado thinks this action is trivial, but the trowel ends up playing an integral part in his demise.
§ Literary Focus § Point of View § Told in the first person by Montresor § By presenting the story in the first person, Poe puts the reader at the mercy of an unreliable narrator, a mad man, who decides what to tell and what to leave out.
§ Fortunato § Montresor's sworn enemy, § Fortunato displays no uneasiness in Montresor's company, and is unaware that his friend is plotting against him. § Fortunato is a proud connoisseur of fine wine § He is urged on by the chance of sampling some rare Amontillado
§ Luchesi § Acquaintance of Montresor's and Fortunato's § A rival wine expert of Fortunado’s § Montresor keeps Fortunato on the trail of the Amontillado by threatening to allow Luchesi to sample it first
§ Montresor § Holds a grudge against his friend Fortunato, who has committed several unnamed offenses against him § Wealthy and lives in a palazzo § Has planned murder of Fortunado § Telling the story fifty years after it has taken place he reveals no regret for his actions
- Slides: 10