Name: _______________________________________________ Hour:_________
Learning Target: What is the theme of the Cask Amontillado? (Page 61)
Success Criteria: I can determine the theme or central idea of The Cask of Amontillado and analyze
in detail its development; provide an objective summary of the text.
1. What is a "cask of amontillado"?
2. According to this quote, what has Fortunato done to Montresor? "The thousand
injuries of Fortunate I had borne as best I could, but the he ventured upon insult I
vowed revenge" (p 61).
3. Montresor tells us, "A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser.
It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him
who has done the wrong” (p61). In your own words, explain what this means.
4. Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration to make a point. Look at the first paragraph.
What phrase used by the narrator is an example of hyperbole?
5. Montresor tells us, "At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitely settled"
(p61). In your own words, explain what this means.
6. Why doesn't Fortunato suspect that Montresor is mad at him?
7. Fortunato, who has been out drinking and enjoying Carnival, is wearing a clown's hat.
Symbolically, why his name and costume an interesting--and appropriate--choice by the
writer, Edgar Allan Poe?
8. Name 3 clever ways Montresor lures Fortunato into his trap.
9. What is Montresor doing when he keeps praising Luchesi's skill in wine-tasting?
10. Where does the main part of the story take place?
BINDER Q2-A12
11. What mood is developed by the setting of the story?
12. Why is it ironic that Montresor keeps expressing interest in Fortunato's health?
13. How did Montresor ensure that no servants would be around to witness the crime?
14. What is pictured on Montresor's family crest (family shield)?
15. What does the motto of Montresor's family mean?
16. What can you infer about Fortunato from this sentence: "He (Fortunato) turned
toward me and looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of
intoxication..."(p63).
17. Why is it ironic that Fortunato replies "good" when told the meaning of Montresor's
family motto? (p64).
18. What does Montresor do to Fortunato when they reach the end of the catacombs?
19. Where is Fortunato now?
20. To whom, do you suppose, is Montresor telling this story?