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Irony is the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Edgar Allen Poe, the author of Cask of Amontillado, strongly expresses irony in some scenes in the story. He showcases three types of irony. Situational irony, dramatic irony, and verbal irony are displayed through COA. Each type of irony is used between Fortunato and Montresor through their dialogue and actions. Also, the irony used creates foreshadowing and suspense for the reader. The type of mood of the story is ironic, making the reader feel more connected to the characters of the story.
Situational Irony is an event that occurs and goes against expectations that have been built up. This type of irony
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Poe creates a dramatic irony to create suspense for the reader. This irony is used when Montresor is communicating to Fortunato. “ 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” (page 3). The reader knows that Montresor is planning to get revenge on Fortunato. Fortunato, however, doesn’t know that Montresor is planning to kill him, but just to show him that he has the Amontillado.Verbal Irony is another skill that the author uses in COA.
Verbal irony is which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning. Montresor uses verbal irony while on the way to the Amontillado with Fortunato. “ Come, I said, with 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”(pages 5 and 6). The quote from Montresor shows how he doesn’t really care about Fortunato. Also, how he made him unhappy and he will not miss him after he kills
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 this chapter, Foster discusses irony. When Montresor is attempting to bring Fortunato into his catacombs, he makes several ironic statements. For example, he says that Fortunato’s “health is precious” (Poe 868). As well as this, Fortunato himself states that he “shall not die of a cough” (Poe 868). These two statements are ironic because Montresor is pretending to care about Fortunato’s health and life, when in reality, he is about to kill him. To add to this, Fortunato admits that he won’t die from a cough, unbeknown to the fact that he will instead die from his friend. Also, another ironic part of the story is the fact that Fortunato came to the catacombs for wine, but his own intoxication led to how easily he was killed. If it hadn’t been Carnival, and if he hadn’t been so heavily drunk, he might have been able to at least attempt to escape his inevitable death. Also, if he had been sober, he may have realized how foolish it was to follow Montresor to the catacombs when his story wasn’t exactly adding up. These are a few examples of irony in “The Cask of Amontillado.”
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.
1. Irony is a useful device for giving stories many unexpected twists and turns. In Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," irony is used very effectively in her story. Situational irony is used to show the reader what is assumed to happen sometimes doesn't. Dramatic irony is used to hint to the reader something is happening to the characters in the story that they do not know about. Irony is used throughout Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" through the use of situational irony and the use of dramatic irony.
Symbolism is something that represents more than what it really is. It is often by authors in their writing to give it more emphasis. For example:" In life there will always be peaks and valleys" meaning in life there will be ups and downs but we should enjoy the peaks and fight through the valleys. Objects can also be a form of symbolism such as The Bible, it represents more than just a book. It represents Life, Church, Religion, and the life of Jesus Christ and what he stood for. Irony is like a twist or words or the opposite of what is intended. For example: Laughing at someone that just slipped and fell, then later you find yourself slipping and falling is a form of irony. Irony is found in real life situations as well as writings. Symbolism is a technique that gives authors a better story and shows objects as more than what they are. They use techniques like this to catch the reader’s attention.
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
Poe creates a horror story of a psychological revenge and murder that occurred fifty years ago. Montresor is able to recall with clarity the details of his crime. Does he feel remorse for what he has done to Fortunato? The reader would think that he does, Montresor seems to be making the haunting confession from his death bed. The last thing that Montresor says to Fortunato is “In pace requiescat” which means “In peace may he rest” (557)! This is what Montresor wants for himself, this is why he is confessing to his sins.
"The Cask of Amontillado" is a good example of stories where irony plays a big role. The irony in the characters and situations that occur makes the story really stand out. Poe's plan of making the characters names is ironic put a completely different spin to the story. Both verbal and dramatic irony made "The Cask of Amontillado" more interesting. "The Cask of Amontillado" shows that any friendship can take a turn for the worst whether one expects it to or not. It is the perfect example of the saying "keep your friends close but your enemies
In his article “On Memory Forgetting, and Complicity in “the Cask of Amontillado”” Raymond DiSanza suggests that an act of wrongdoing is always at the heart of good horror stories. (194) DiSanza’s article on “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe describes Poe’s writing in a way I didn’t think of myself. DiSanza finds Poe’s language in this story to “taste like amontillado: smooth, slightly sweet, and appropriately chilled”. (DiSanza 195) Throughout his article he mostly talks about what possibly could have been Montresor’s motive to kill Fortunato? And why did Montresor wait fifty years to tell the story?
He used irony to confuse his audience. Irony is when someone says one thing but means another. In “The Cask of Amontillado”. Poe used irony well throughout the story. An example of irony was when the character Fortunato’s name was chosen. Fortunato means fortune or lucky but, he was less than fortunate when he gets murdered at the end of the short story. Another example of irony was when Montresor “encountered” his “friend” and said to him, “my dear Fortunato, you are luckily met…” (“The Cask of Amontillado” 104). Poe was trying to confuse the audience by making it seem that Montresor was a friend instead of the enemy. In “The Fall of the House of Usher”, the narrator said, “the disease which had thus entombed the lady in the maturity of youth, had left, as usual in all maladies of a strictly cataleptical character, the mocker of a faint blush upon the bosom and the face, and that suspiciously lingering smile upon the lip which is so terrible in death” (“The Fall of the House of Usher” 122). The irony there was when Lady Madeline appeared as though she had died but, towards the end of the short story she comes back to life. Edgar Allan Poe used irony in both stories to illustrate the opposite as they occurred. The difference is the way irony was used in the story; in “The Cask of Amontillado”, irony was used verbally such as saying you are a friend but really are not and in “The Fall of the House of Usher”, irony was used
Irony and symbolism are tools used in writing to convey individual messages throughout the story. It is Edgar Allan Poe’s intense use of symbolism and irony throughout the Cask of Amontillado that gives this short story its suspense and horror filled theme.
Irony is a useful device for giving stories many unexpected twists and turns. In Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," irony is used as an effective literary device. Situational irony is used to show the reader that what is expected to happen sometimes doesn't. Dramatic irony is used to clue the reader in on something that is happening that the characters in the story do not know about. Irony is used throughout Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" through the use of situational irony and the use of dramatic irony.
Shakespeare also uses situational irony. This occurs when the results of an action or event are different than what is expected. An example of irony occurs when Macduff talks to Malcolm and discusses the tragedies that are taking place in Scotland. Without knowing that his own family has been slain, Macduff says, "Each new morn/ New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows/ Strike heaven on the face" (4.3.4-6).
Edgar Allan Poe is one of greatest American authors and poets. He is well-known as a master of using irony in his story. “The Cask of Amontillado” is a horror story about revenge of Montresor upon Fortunato. Fortunato believes Montresor is his good friend, but he ends up with being chained and walled in to the catacombs. There are three types of irony used in this short story: verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony. Using these ironies, Poe wants the readers to understand about Montresor’s “friendship” with Fortunato.