Evaluating Symbolism and Irony in "The Cask of Amontillado"

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In many occasions, symbolism and irony are the best way to explain an object. While using symbolism you can make the reader understand a different point of view they would had never expected. It helps catches the reader attention in a way that it opens more doors to a short story, novel, etc… For example Montresor represents pride. He is living by his family motto “Nemo me impune lacessit.” (No one provokes me with impunity.) Symbols are also used in backgrounds of movies giving symbolic messages to the viewers. The only way the viewer can pick up on them is by searching them up or by already knowing what that symbol represented. Irony is used a little less more profoundly in the story, yet it plays a big role in leading the reader into the right path with its situations. Irony is when a statement contradicts itself or another object. For example Fortunato means fortunate but ends up not being fortunate while meeting his own death. They’re many examples of symbolism and irony in “The Cask of Amontillado.”
Montresor meets his fake friend Fortunato and tells him about amontillado. Montresor had probably been humiliated or embarrassed by this jest, because he is angered once he lays eyes on him from a distance. Fortunato was wearing a jester outfit which makes him seem that he is not meant to be taken seriously. Once met he then manipulate Fortunato into following him into the catacombs of the montresor’s. Once in the catacomb, Montresor then precedes to tell Fortunato about his cough. Trying to lead Fortunato into thinking that he deeply cares about his health, but Fortunato not wanting Luchresi to come along he keep moving forward. While walking
Mendoza4
Montresor presents his friend with another bottle of wine. Fortunato is now ...

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...ato death. The clown suit he wore made it obvious he was going to play the joke in the story. He ended up dying a torturous death, making Montresor feeling accomplished in a way that he was representing his family

Mendoza8 motto “Nemo me impune lacessit.”(22) As for Fortunato he has rest in peace for over fifty years without a single person noticing his passing.

Works Cited

Lorcher,Trent.”Important Irony.”Bright hub education. BrightHub,Inc.,
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Lorcher,Trent. “Symbolism and Irony in ‘ The Cask of Amontillado’.”
Bright Hub Education. Bright Hub, Inc., 9 oct 2013. Web. 17 Mar 2014.

Study Mode Editors. Irony and Symbolism in ‘The Cask of Amontillado’.” N.p., oct 1999.
Web. 17 Mar 2014.

Wordpress Editors. “ Masonic and Number Symbolism ‘The Cask of Amontillado’ by
Edgar Allen Poe.” Word Press. N.p., 2 Oct 2013. Web. 17 Mar 2014.

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