Examples Of Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado

The first sentence of "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe gives a singular and simple theme which is Montresor's revenge. The plot of the story revolves strongly around the execution of his betrayal and his revenge against Fortunato. The author does an impressive job by expressing the satire that takes place throughout the narrative by conveying the irony through the words and actions of the characters.

There are two categories of irony I noticed in “The Cask of Amontillado.” There are the ironies Montresor manipulates and controls in the story and the ironies the author creates. As the story progresses it becomes easier to realize Montresor is the main voice in the story, and Poe subtly provides clues that bring us closer to understanding the truth behind Montresor’s words.

The first example of irony is the fact Montresor made sure his servants would be gone by ordering them to stay.

The use of reverse psychology is apparent throughout the story and demonstrates how corrupt and backwards all of the relationships in the story had become. Because Montresor is the narrator, we are aware of the deception between what he is thinking, versus what he says, “Come, we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as I once was.” Montresor is clearly biting his tongue as he says these words. He also drops an indirect hint “as I once was” about his true feelings of humiliation are at the root of his vengeance.

Montresor had carefully planned his elaborate ceremony, which had elements of a Christian mass but was morbid and evil. He toasted to Fortunato’s good health and long life over a glass of wine, which is usually a blessing. However, Montresor makes the reader well aware of his intentions which couldn’t be further from his words. He reassures Fortunato that he “will not die of a cough”, and is continually urging him not to go down into the vaults. Every plea to go back is actually a nudging downwards into the

crypt.
Montresor understands he will still go regardless of his pleas and counts on Fortunato’s excessive pride in his connoisseurship of wines to lure him into his tomb. Montresor baits him by asking him whether a “pipe of Amontillado” sherry he had recently purchased is the genuine thing. Montresor deviously views Fortunato’s love of wines as a “weakness” to exploit him. To successfully achieve revenge, Montresor must make Fortunato understand the nature of the wrong he committed. But Fortunato never knew why he was walled up, and he even thought it was a joke. Fortunato dies quickly after being entombed and since one cannot further harm the dead, Montresor failed to avenge the insult he had suffered.
The greatest irony in “The Cask of Amontillado” is the dramatic irony created by the fact Montresor is telling, or retelling the story to someone “who so well knows the true nature of (his) soul.” The structure of the story is a confession, told fifty years after the actual event. Though the story is told through Montresor’s voice, the use of irony provides an insight to the double meanings behind the tale.