The Cask of Amontillado

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Why is the idea of revenge so powerful for people? What does the saying, “Revenge is a dish best served cold” mean? Do you agree with it?

Teaching Suggestion: Poe’s story is a case study in coldly calculated revenge, and this prompt will get them thinking about the theme of revenge. As a class, you might brainstorm examples of historical events or more recent news stories that involved revenge or acts of vengeance, such as vendettas, feuds, or acts of retribution. Encourage students to delve into the motivations behind these acts, the consequences, and the impact on individuals and communities.

• “The Psychology of Revenge (and Vengeful People)” from Psychology Today explains the psychological factors that make people want to seek revenge.
• “Ever Wanted to Get Revenge? Try This Instead” from The New York Times explores different responses people can have to anger and the desire for revenge. (Subscription may be required to view.)

2. What elements define the horror genre? What additional characteristics identify a story as Gothic horror? Have you read any works by Edgar Allan Poe that fit this description?

Teaching Suggestion: You might ask students to list examples of horror stories, including movies, before they discuss the genre’s defining elements. Consider prompting them to think about setting and mood as well as plot. If students are familiar with other works by Poe, they might share summaries or descriptions with the class.

• “A Brief History of Gothic Horror” from the New York Public Library defines the genre and provides a list of notable examples.
• “Edgar Allan Poe and His Tales of Horror” is a brief article about Poe from the National Park Service. For students who would benefit from a more in-depth profile, try “Edgar Allan Poe” from the Poetry Foundation.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the story.

Think about a time when you either deceived or were deceived by another person. Reflect on the emotions, consequences, and lessons learned from that experience. What would you say to the person today?

Teaching Suggestion: Students can take different approaches to the prompt, including writing a letter, having mock phone conversation, or having a classmate role-play the other person. It’s important to be sensitive to students who may not want to share their responses with the class and allow these students to respond privately.

• “Understanding Forgiveness” from Psychology Today gives researched and practical approaches for forgiving another person.
• “Why Flattery Is Effective” from the Harvard Business Review briefly explains the psychological impact of flattery—which is the basis of the narrator’s deception in “The Cask of Amontillado.”

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who struggle with written work or have social anxiety could use text-to-speech features on a word processing program or record their responses.