WorksheetsThe Cask of Amontillado
Total questions: 22
Worksheet time: 13mins
Part A: Which of the following sayings best describes a theme of the text?
Do not insult those who are easily wounded
Pride cometh before the fall.
Revenge is a dish best served cold
Forgive and forget is the best course of action
PART B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A?
“At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitely, settled...” (Paragraph 1)
“It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will.” (Paragraph 2)
“‘Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have been imposed upon. And as for Luchresi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado.’” (Paragraph 22)
“‘Come,’ I said, with decision, ‘we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was.’” (Paragraph 34)
How does the description of the Montresor coat of arms and motto (provided in the lines below) contribute to the reader’s understanding of Montresor’s character? Select TWO:
"The Montresors," I replied, "were a great and numerous family."
"I forget your arms."
"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are embedded in the heel."
"And the motto?"
"Nemo me impune lacessi" (translation: No one attacks me with impunity) *impunity: without consequence
Montresor's family motto means it is better to "turn the other cheek" when one is wronged.
The snake represents any person, group, or thing that attacks the Montresor family, either literally or in terms of their pride.
Montresor is weak because the foot on the coat of arms is being attacked by a snake.
This motto is repeating what is being shown in the coat of arms; the Montresor family will not suffer freely given insults or injuries.
This line takes place in the final paragraph of the story, just as Montresor is finishing walling Fortunato into the catacombs to die: “My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so.” What insight into the narrator’s point of view does this line likely provide the reader?
Montresor is feeling emotional turmoil over what he has done to Fortunato.
Montresor is afraid of the dark.
Montresor has been suffering from a chronic illness.
Montresor had too much carnival food.
“Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm. Putting on a mask of black silk, and drawing a roquelaire (cloak) closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.” Why did Montresor put on a mask and a cloak?
Montresor thought it was cold and damp.
Montresor did not want to be recognized.
Montresor had taken them away from Fortunato.
How does Montresor manipulate Fortunato?
He says that Luchesi would be able to tell what kind of wine it was.
He says that Luchesi would be upset if he knew that he had some wine.
He says that Luchesi had not come to the carnival.
What character traits made Fortunato easy prey for Montresor?
Fortunato was older and wiser than Montresor.
Fortunato was a quack.
Fortunato was very prideful concerning is connoisseurship in wine.
Why might Fortunato’s name be ironic?
Fortunato was unable to find a fortune in this story.
Fortunato was not fortunate in this story.
Fortunato was named after his wine collection.
Where had the stone and mortar, used by Montresor to wall up the entrance to the niche, been hidden?
Montresor had hidden the materials in his cloak.
Montresor had hidden the materials in another niche.
Montresor had hidden the materials under a pile of bones.
The catacombs could be described as follows….
Deep below the palazzo, brick walls, and filled with bones.
Deep below the palazzo, solid granite walls, and a foul smell in the air
Deep below the palazzo, concrete walls, and filled with bones.
How does not knowing what Fortunato did to Montresor intensify the horror of this story?
The reader is left to wonder why an insult should merit such a death.
The reader knows that Montresor had a right to kill Fortunato.
The reader is afraid that Montresor may kill others.
How is the Montresor’s family motto related to the actions of Montresor?
The Montresor family punishes people for no reason.
The Montresors are good and forgiving people.
The Montresor family punishes people who wrong them.
Contrast the setting in the beginning of the story with the setting in the catacombs?
The carnival was just before Lent vs. Montresor met Fortunato at the carnival.
The carnival was where Montresor finds Fortunato vs. Fortunato became more intoxicated in the catacombs.
The carnival was a lively celebration vs. the catacombs because they were dark, damp, and smelly.
Which statement does NOT support a mood of death for the story?
He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted with a conical cap and bells.
“With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.”
“but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.
The reader knows that the flat character is Luchesi because…
There was a lot of physical description about him.
There was a lot of direct characterization.
There was very little indirect or direct characterization.
Montresor is a NOT a dynamic character because….
He showed mercy at the end of the story by not stabbing Fortunato.
He was revengeful throughout the story.
He was a nicer after fifty years.
Which THREE sentences from this excerpt MOST clearly suggest that Montresor (the narrator) is keeping his plans for revenge secret from Fortunato?
It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.
It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will.
I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.
THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.
You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.
Which TWO sentences from this paragraph suggest that Fortunato is an expert on fine wine?
He had a weak point—this Fortunato—although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared.
He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine
Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit.
For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity—to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian millionaires.
In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack—but in the matter of old wines he was sincere.
In a staged version of "The Cask of Amontillado," which tone of voice should an actor use to represent the narrator's feelings toward Fortunato?
Admiring
Disgusted
Peaceful
Embarrassed
A student is writing a paragraph arguing that Montresor (the narrator) uses flattery to trick Fortunato into coming home with him. Which of the following excerpts from the story is NOT a good example to include in this paragraph?
"My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day!” (5)
"I have my doubts," I replied; "and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter.” (7)
"As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me—" (13)
"And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own." (15)
“You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.”
What does the underlined phrase imply about the person to whom Montresor is speaking?
This person knows Montresor (the narrator) well.
This person knows Fortunato well.
This person has heard this story before.
This person has no personal connection to the story.
