Use Of Dramatic Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado

As a story opens, an unnamed narrator first words says, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.”(164) Montresor who tells a story is taking revenge on Fortunato because he has suffered a “thousand injuries” although he never mentions exactly what happened. Edgar Allan Poe creates a perfect crime in a murder story “The Cask of Amontillado” through the use of a character that exhibits characteristics of a psychopath, a horrifying plot and a dramatic irony. Montresor who confesses his crime without emotion the story of his killing of Fortunato fifty years before is a wealthy man living in a large “palazzo” with servants. He uses the precise and cunning tactics to seek revenge

He tells Fortunato that he has obtained a wine that could be Amontillado, but he does not invite Fortunato into his home. He knows Fortunato would never pass up an opportunity to test his intelligence knowledge of wine. By that way, Montresor can complete his plan without putting himself as responsible. He also uses a reverse psychology tactic on the servants in his home: “ I had told them that I should not return until the morning, and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the house… I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance, one and all, as soon as my back was turned.” He does not want any risk of suspicion, instead of telling them flat out to take the night off, he says that he does not return until morning. Fortunato insists that they can go into vaults although he begins to cough from the niter coveting the walls. Montresor’s brilliant reverse psychology is the way he suggests Fortunato leave the vaults: “ We will go back, your heath is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved.” He knows Fortunato will not turn back despite his