Intro to Edgar Allen Poe’s

“Cask of Amontillado”

Before Reading

“Cask of Amontillado” Here’s What We Need

To Know

Edgar Allan Poe

Who is Poe? (218)

In the Beginning…• Parents died when he was 3 years old. • He was taken as a foster child by the weathy Allan family of

Richmond. • Started out as a strong student/ later became moody• Went to University of Virginia, but dropped out with heavy gambling

debt. • Family refused to support him any longer.

Who is Poe? Cont’d…

• Poe split with his foster family and was left penniless. • He married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia Clemm. • Poe drank excessively & always needed money. • He wrote regularly.• Often criticized for his writings.• Virginia died of tuberculosis and Poe had a final break down. • Two years later, he was found delirious in a tavern.• Poe died days later.

NEED to KNOW

VOCAB

Caskk – a wooden container for wine

Amontilladoa dry white wine

Connoisseuran expert

“It was about dusk, one evening during

the supreme madness of the carnival season.”

SETTING

Carnival Season in Venice

“…his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.”

“He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, …”

Palazzo – a large, imposing building (as a museum or place of residence) esp. in Italy

Nitre is a potassium nitrate salt formerly known as saltpeter. Saltpeter is composed of the names “Sal” or salt, and “Petrae” or rock. Literally, salt of the rock.

“…but observe the white webwork which gleams from the these cavern walls.”

Nitre encrusted on an ancient jaran ancient vault or catacomb

“In Pace Requiescat”

“In Pace Requiescat”

After Reading

“Cask of Amontillado” Here’s What We Need

To DO…

On A Separate Sheet of Paper

You will write a one-page narrative, continuing Montresor’s story. The story must be typed in Arial 12 pt. font and is due for a MAJOR grade Monday. Your narrative must include:

• Characters- you are free to make up additional names• Plot- What happens to Montresor after he leaves the crypt?• Correct grammar/ spelling• At least ONE vocab word from the story. • 5-7 personal pronouns

You will be graded on content, grammar, creativity, and presentation.