Audio Literature Odyssey

Summary:

Set in Italy during the carnival season, The Cask of Amontillado delves into the mind of a diabolical man bent on revenge.  Montressor narrates the horrifying tale, which alerts the reader to impending doom for the buffoon Fortunato, who has reportedly inflicted a thousand injuries upon Montressor.  Yet, the unwitting Fortunato is easily lured to his demise with an appeal to his vanity.  He is asked to authenticate the Amontillado, which Montressor has stored in the catacombs of his palazzo.  With each step, the tale’s suspense grows, until at last, the shocking retribution has been exacted.

Duration: 00:24:04 (about 24 minutes)
File Size: 22 MB
Download: The Cask of Amontillado – MP3

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Recording Copyright © 2006 Nikolle Doolin

Title: The Cask of Amontillado
Author: Edgar Allan Poe
Published: November, 1846
Genre: Horror

Glossary:

• Amontillado: a dry sherry
• Catacombs: an underground series of tunnels where dead bodies are laid out in recesses
• Cavern: underground chamber
• Conical Cap and Bells: refers to a jester’s outfit
• Conical: shaped like a cone
• Connoisseurship: expertise
• Flambeaux: a lit torch
• Immolation: destruction
• Impunity: freedom from harm
• In pace requiescat: rest in peace
• Medoc: a red wine
• Nemo me impune lacessit: no one attacks me with impunity
• Nitre: potassium nitrate; a mineral used in the production of explosives
• Palazzo: palace
• Pipe: a cask of wine, or a container used to hold liquid
• Roquelaire: a knee-length cloak
• Unredressed: not corrected
• Virtuoso: one who is highly skilled

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts.  His parents were both actors who left him orphaned.  Edgar went to live with the family of John Allan—a tobacco merchant from Virginia–but eventually broke with his step father, who gave him little or no money.

In his late 20s, Poe married his young cousin Virginia, who died two years into the marriage.  Her death drove Poe to drink heavily.  Unfortunately, alcohol abuse plagued his entire adult life.

Trying to earn his way, Poe worked as an editor and struggled as a writer.  Yet he persevered and produced numerous poems, short stories, and literary criticisms.  His works delved into the dark side of humanity through mainly horror and detective fiction and have often been called macabre.  Some of his most popular works include the Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Raven, and The Tell-Tale Heart.

In an eerie coincidence to his work, Poe’s last days on earth and his death remain a mystery, though alcohol may have been a factor.  Poe died in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 7, 1849.  He was 40 years old.

Works by Edgar Allan Poe Available on the Podcast:

• The Cask of Amontillado
• The Tell-Tale Heart