Use of irony in The Cask of Amontillado
Many different types of irony are used in The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe and they add many different elements to the story. Verbal irony is when the word means something different that what they actually mean.Situational irony is when the exact opposite happens then what is meant to happen. And finally dramatic irony is when the reader knows more than the character and in this case it is Fortunato.
Verbal irony helps the story events seem well put together and adds a little bit of humor to the story.In paragraph 35 it says "Enough," he said; "the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough." "True -- true," I replied- , The verbal irony that the Montresor uses in this sentence is agreeing to how he will not die because of a cough because Montresor knows he is going to kill him. Paragraph 40 and 41 states "I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us." "And I
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to your long life." , Another use of verbal irony by Montresor is when he makes a toast to Fortunato’s long life but Montresor knows he life will end shortly. "Proceed," I said; "herein is the Amontillado. As for Luchesi—""He is an ignoramus," interrupted my friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward…" In paragraph 69 the last use of verbal irony is when Fortunato say Luchesi is ignorant but Fortunato is actually the ignorant person. Verbal irony adds humor to the story and makes the story seem more well put together. The author not only uses verbal irony but he also uses situational irony many times through his story. In the story Montresor lead Fortunato to what he thinks is the Cask of Amontillado but Montresor is actually leading him to his Casket. Another example of situational irony is how Poe, the author of the story, leads the reader to believe the story is in the present but actually Montresor is reading the story 50 years later after the event. The use of situational irony is when Montresor told his servants he won’t be home till morning and they need to stay home but Montresor is using reverse psychology because he knows the servants will want to leave knowing he won't be back till morning. Overall situational irony helps the story show how planned how Montresor’s revenge was and adds a little comedy. Dramatic irony is when the author knows more then the character which happens a lot throughout the story.
The main use of dramatic irony is throughout the story and is when Fortunato thinks Montresor is leading him to the cask of amontillado but the reader knows there is know cask of amontillado. Fortunato ask question about Montresor being apart of the mason and in paragraph 64 he proves it by saying “It is this,”I answered, producing from beneath the folds of my roquelaire a trowel” and this is dramatic irony because the reader knows that the trowel will be used in a way to kill Fortunato but he only sees it as proof that he is in the masonry. The last use of dramatic irony is on paragraph 5 “My dear Fortunato , you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking today” and this is dramatic irony because Montresor thinks of Fortunato as a fool and he is even wearing a jester outfit but Montresor compliments his looks. Dramatic irony is a main part of this story and it is used a lot and in many different
scenes. Irony is a big part of The Cask of Amontillado story and it adds many different elements like humor to the story. The three types of irony in the story are verbal, Situational and dramatic and they do something different to the story. In conclusion this story uses irony a lot throughout the story which gives the reader a better reading experience.
In the story “The Cask of Amontillado”, the author uses lots of verbal irony to emphasize the evil intentions of Montresor.One of the examples of verbal irony in the story that he uses is “The cough’s a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough.” and “true--true, I replied.” The effect of this irony is it that Montresor already knows how Fortunato will die.Another example of verbal irony used in the story was when they did a toast to each other. “I drink”, he said, to the buried that repose around us.”
One of the most horrifying lines in the story is given by Montresor after Fortunato says, “I will not die of a cough” (Baym ). Montresor says, “True— true....” (Baym ). It seems that Montresor 's murder plot became subconsciously manifest in those two words. Dramatic irony is irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the story (“dramatic-irony”) and Poe uses this effectively in this story. For example, Montresor expresses concern about Fortunato and says, "Come, I said, with decision, we will go back; your health is
In “The Cask of Amontillado” irony plays a vital role in the story. One example of verbal irony can be seen when Montresor first sees Fortunato at the carnival and says “My dear Fortu...
Verbal irony occurs when speakers or writers say the opposite of what they mean. One example of verbal irony in The Cask is when Montresor first sees Fortunato at the carnival. This is ironic because Montresor acts like he is pleased to meet Fortunato but he really is not. For example, Poe writes, “My dear Fortunato you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking today” (237) Moreover, what Montresor really means is that the meeting is lucky because it presents a good time to murder Fortunato. Another reason that Montresor acting like he is pleased to meet Fortunato is ironic is that Montresor wants to murder Fortunato. Montresor is mad because of Fortunato’s unknown insults toward him but is acting nice. Montresor is acting nice so that he can disguise his motives to kill Montresor.
Montresor explains to Fortunato that he is of the masons. Fortunato asks Montresor for a sign of being a mason. This is an example of dramatic irony because even though the reader knows the truth behind the story, Fortunato does not. In the passage Poe states, “It is this, I answered, producing a towel from beneath the folds of my roquelaure.” (pg. 239). Poe also states in the passage, “You are not of the masons.” (pg. 239). Montresor is trying to put himself on the same level of Fortunato, which Fortunato does not ever let him, and that causes part of the feud that Montresor has for Fortunato. Another example of dramatic irony is Fortunato develops a cough and has become sick which leads him to believe that is what he will die from. This is dramatic irony because the reader fully knows that Fortunato is going to die, but because of a cough. It states in the passage, “the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kiss me. I shall not die of a cough.” (pg. 238). Montresor leads on Fortunato by stating, “we will go back; your health is precious.” (pg. 238). Montresor shows Fortunato that he cares about his health when in reality he wants him dead. Fortunato has no idea that he is going to end up dead, but the reader is fully aware of what is going to happen to
Wood, Kerry.” Literary Analysis : Irony In ‘ The Cask Of Amontillado’ by Edgar Allan Poe.”Humanities 360. Helium, Inc., 9 Nov 2007. Web.17 Mar 2014.
Montresor proves not to mess with someone's feeling. He explains, “I must not only punish, but punish with impunity” (Poe 372). Fortunato does not know that he is going to die, yet Montresor and the reader do know, making the situation dramatic irony. By punishing him with impunity he is going to get revenge that he has wanted now for years ever since he did wrong to Montresor and now that he finally gets the chance of course he will seek revenge on Fortunato. And it is dramatic irony because Fortunato is oblivious to the situation. Montresor proves that one should be careful on what they say. He speaks, “I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation” (Poe 372). Montresor is saying
Irony is also used throughout this tale. The use of revenge in this story shows irony. Montressor avenges himself by fooling Fortunato into literally walking into his own grave. Fortunato pursues the "cask" which ends up being his own casket. Montressor even asks Fortunato repeatedly whether he would like to turn back.
Edgar Allen Poe uses irony and poetic justice all throughout “The Cask of the Amontillado”. The places where irony and poetic justice hold the most significance are the scenes where, Montresor speaks of the wronging done to him by Fortunato, where Montresor and fortunato speak of the coat of arms, and where at the very end when Montresor traps Fortunato in the catacombs and leaves him to die. These scenes clearly show the use of these two tools that Poe used to tell the story of Montresor and
Verbal irony is used to foreshadow Montresor's plans. These plans are all sparked by his motive for revenge. This is obvious in Montresor's concern for Fortunao's health. Montresor tells Fortunato that his health is precious, and they should turn back so Fortunato does not become ill. Fortunato responds saying, "The cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me." Because Montresor knows how Fortunato will die he responds, "True, True." Not only is this an irony because Montresor could care less about Fortunato's health; just Montresor's advantage of carrying out his plan of revenge, but his statement, "true, true", could also be used as foreshadowing. Montresor does no...
"A Cask of Amontillado" is replete with ironic statements and situations. Fortunato's very name is ironic given his horrific fate. At the beginning of the story, when Montresor divulges his theories on proper revenge, he says, "A wrong is unredressed when retibution overtakes its redresser." This is ironic (and a bit amusing) as Montresor is utterly consumed by his hatred of Fortunato. Then, during their descent into the catacombs, Montresor tries several times to con...
Irony is used very often by Poe. Irony is when something occurs that is the exact opposite of how it should be or seem. Irony varies in that it may be displayed through someone’s actions or an ironic happening. An example of irony in someone’s action are in the Cask of Amontillado is when Montressor repeatedly seems concerned for Fortunato’s health, even though his real intentions are to kill him. It also may be considered ironic that Poe named the enemy of Monstressor, Fortunato. Being that Fortunato means fortunate or lucky in Italian, it is ironic that he is very unlucky in that he his buried alive in a wall.
In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor sets out on a vengeful mission that will end Fortunato’s life in an untimely fate. Montresor appeals to Fortunato’s love for wine to tempt the unsuspecting fellow to his impending doom. While Montresor tricks the foolish Fortunato frightfully, it is ultimately Fortunato’s pride that leads to his demise in the crypt. Poe uses several literary devices to foreshadow this murderous exploit of Montresor. Through the use of irony, symbolism, and imagery, the story entices readers to delve into the relationships and differences between Montresor and Fortunato.
The first irony is verbal irony. Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant. There are many examples of this kind of irony through this story. The first irony is the name “Fortunato.” Fortunato’s name suggests good fortune, or of being fortunate, but he is exactly the opposite, he is killed. Another irony is when Fortunato follows Montresor go to the vault, Montresor acts like he cares about Fortunato’s health, “we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible.” (1202) But readers know from the beginning of the story, Montresor only wants to kill Fortunato. “And I to your long life,” (1202) Fortunato has lived out his life already, it is about to be over. Going deeper into the vaults, Fortunato gets more and more coughing, and Montresor shows his concern to Fortunato’s health “Come, we will go back ere it is too late. Your cough—“It is nothing.”(1202) But Montresor knows that the more he acts as he cares Fortunato, the more Fortunato wants to reach Amontillado-his dark fate. Fortunato is a man who is being blindly led to his death by someone who he feels as an admiring friend, but this friend is actually a person in searching for his own revenge.
In this short story, it contains several instances of irony. One of the first instances is in the title “Cask.” Fortunato takes it to mean that he will be viewing a cask of fine wine, but in the end he meets his casket. They both come from the same root word. A second example would be his name, Fortunato. His name means fortunate, but he is murdered. That is not fortunate.