In “The Cask of Amontillado” Edgar Allan Poe uses verbal irony to emphasize the evil intentions of Montresor. Poe uses several instances of irony to demonstrate that Forntunato’s death is imminent and Montresor knows all along. One example of irony being used is when Fortunato says “the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough. ”(119)
During his plot of revenge on Fortunato in the beginning of the story Montresor's thoughts relate the theme. “he had a weak point this Fortunato, although in regards he is a man to be respected, and even feared” (Poe 62). This relates to the theme because it shows that Montresor is stalking his “prey” .The quote shows that he is acting like a hunter, like a predator, by the way he talks about Fortunato. His actions are in some ways similar to that of a sly fox, for example, the way he speaks of Fortunato, explaining his weaknesses and his
This is represented by, the way Montressor wants to punish Fortunato because of the hatred he has for him and his understanding of why Fortunato has treated him so poorly. Also the way Montressor makes it seem like revenge is the right and necessary thing to do to correct the wrong Fortunato has done to him. As well as, how Montressor ultimately manipulates Fortunato.
Verbal irony occurs when what is said is different from what is meant. In Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” an example of verbal irony is the final line of the story when Montresor, the protagonist, has just killed Fortunato by walling him up in a tomb in the catacombs beneath Montresor’s palazzo. Montresor says, “In pace requiescat!” (214) which in English translates to “May he rest in peace!” This is verbal irony because, as Montresor has just murdered Fortunato, the reader can infer that Montresor does not wish Fortunato to rest in peace, though that is what he said.
At the beginning of the story the narrator chooses the setting of Carnival. When one thinks of the carnival, the thought of joyful people, celebration and social interaction comes to mind. No one would have thought that that was the precise moment for Montresor to take revenge. The name of Fortunato itself is ironic, because the name of Fortunato means fortune in Italy. When Montresor reveals the audience that he “had fettered [Fortunato] to the granite”, the scene sends chills throughout the reader’s body (Poe 471).
Irony in “The Cask of Amontillado” Edgar Allen Poe wrote “The Cask of Amontillado,” where there are many examples of irony displayed from the narrator’s word choice, to sharing a drink of wine, and the symbol that the trowel represents. One of the first examples of verbal irony was when Montresor runs into Fortunato, whom he vowed revenge upon, dressed in a jester’s costume and had been drinking much.
In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” irony is applied throughout to help foreshadow future and give more of an insight to the readers, all while adding some humor. Irony is divided into three main types: dramatic, situational, and verbal. Poe uses dramatic irony when he has Fortunato dress as a jester, “a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his was surmounted by the conical cap and bells” (Poe). The get-up makes Fortunato looks foolish and foreshadows his actions of following Montresor into the catacombs to taste some wine. Montresor even compliments the outfit and says “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met” (Poe), but it was not Fortunato who was in luck, but Montresor who would gain profit of their meeting.
Through this story, Poe uses many examples of verbal irony, dramatic irony, and foreshadowing to illustrate Fortunato’s great misfortune. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Poe uses many examples of verbal irony. An
Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado” is the narrative of a man named Montresor who seeks vengeance against a man named Fortunato. Fortunato insults Montresor. Next, Montresor meet Fortunato at a carnival, eventually luring him into the catacombs of his home to bury Fortunato alive. Moreover, different types of irony are portrayed in this short story. Dramatic irony consists of the character in the story knowing less about his or her situation than the reader.
In addition, we see Montresor already deem vengeance against Fortunato in the opening sentence of the story, which really provides
Everybody will eventually want revenge on an old friend or just someone they know. Montressor, similar to many people in the world, wants revenge on one of his old friends, Fortunato. The story opens with, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge” (Poe 212). In this statement, Montressor tells the reader what the cause of his revenge against Fortunato is. “The Cask of Amontillado”, written by Edgar Allen Poe, tells the story of how Montressor brings Fortunato into the catacombs to bury him alive.
The quote shows the author's details create a shocking mood in the readers because he describes a detailed image the helps the reader envision what is going on. This action takes the audience by surprise because they know Montresor is getting revenge, but they aren’t told what it will be so they are as clueless as Fortunato. Montresor threw a torch in the niche where he tied Fortunato up and he finished closing up the wall, killing a man who considered him a friend. “I thrust a torch to the remaining aperture and let it fall within… I force the last stone into position; I plastered it up.” (pg7)
The theme is made clear in this story from opening line. “The thousand injures of Fortunato I had borne as best I could; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge”(739). Montresor and Fortunato have a lengthy history, then an insult that goes too far enrages Montresor and he vows revenge. Montresor states, “I must not only punish, but punish with impunity” (739), implying that his revenge must be permanent, well thought out and Fortunato must feel the wrath from
“The Use of Irony in "The Cask of Amontillado" Edgar Allan Poe is a phenomenal writer and makes many points in his writings. There are three different ways in Poe 's writing of "The Cask of Amontillado" that irony is used: verbal, situational and dramatic. Verbal irony can be seen when Montresor first sees Fortunato at the carnival. Situational irony is also used and can be seen between the meaning of Fortunato 's name and his destiny, as well as Montresor 's response to his own. The last way irony is used is dramatic irony, this can be seen by any reader, this occurs when Montresor tells Fortunato he is also a mason.
In the beginning of the short story, Montresor defines revenge on his friend Fortunato for believing he has insulted him. Montresor has become angry that his friend is taking advantage of him and overlooking at him like a fool,
