Verbal Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado Analysis

Though Fortunato is an intelligent wine expert, his expertise leads him to his death. In Italian the word Fortunato means fortunate, something that he is not by the end of the story. In the short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allan Poe writes in the first-person point of view from the perspective of Montresor, the diabolic narrator of this tale, who vowed revenge against Fortunato. Montresor began to develop the perfect plan for retribution. During the carnival season, Montresor encounters Fortunato and decides to implement his plan carefully not to arouse Fortunato’s suspicions through irony. Poe uses different types of irony throughout the story. The three different types of irony that he uses are dramatic, verbal, and situational

Throughout the story, Montresor uses verbal irony numerous times to foreshadow his intentions to the audience. One example in The Cask of Amontillado, and probably the most obvious, is Montresor's cruel "Yes, for the love of God!". This has multiple meanings, such as indicating that Montresor believes his actions are righteous, or that he is mocking Fortunato. The irony in this quote is in its implications of Godly love; what Montresor is doing is anything but loving or Godly, and there is no interpretation in which this does not strike the reader as the opposite of the meaning of the words. Another use of this verbal irony is in Montresor’s concern for Fortunato’s health. Montresor tells Fortunato that his health is precious and that they should turn back so Fortunato does not become ill. Fortunato responds saying, “The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me” (Poe). Montresor knowing how Fortunato will die responds, “True-True” (Poe). In fact, Montresor could care less about Fortunato’s health; he is just concerned about his own advantage of manipulation by luring him into the catacombs to carry out his plan. Montresor also intends to be responsible for Fortunato’s death. Montresor does not want Fortunato to die of a cough or from the catacombs but of his own destruction. The drunken Fortunato is the only one in the story who is unaware of Montresor’s real motives. Furthermore, Montresor addresses Fortunato as his dear friend when they first encounter each other. Fortunato believes that Montresor is his friend when he intends to make a fool out of him. Thus, Montresor states, “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day! But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado and have my doubts” (Poe). Montresor calls Fortunato “dear” when he hates this man with a