What Is The Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado

Montresor tells the story in detail of how he leads a man, Fortunato, to his death. Montresor repeatedly expresses the need to kill Fortunato because he has done something to insult him and he must pay for it with his life. Montresor tells readers early in the story that he is going to be lying to Fortunato’s face by acting one way, but thinking about killing him the whole time. He says "I continued, as was my wont, to smile in

Conflict: For Montresor to revenge himself for Fortunato’s insult, he has to get away with it – if Fortunato can revenge him back,

(Poe 38). This play on words is not only clever, it is fairly humorous and adds to the reader’s desire to keep reading. However, “The Cask of Amontillado” doesn’t only use irony purely for humor, it uses it to create suspense as well. After the reader learns of Fortunato’s ironic name and Montresor’s intention to murder him, the story begins at the carnival. The first thing Montresor says to him when they meet is “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.”

Some people believe that Fortunato should have seen Montresor’s evil plan coming, and that he deserved this fate. At the very beginning of the story, Montresor “The thousand

In my opinion, Montresor is a very clever man. He not only seek revenge, but he also was able to get this man boozed up and murder him. Montresor continuously asked Fortunato if he wanted to have a glass of wine and his reply was always “yes.” He was an intelligent man and knew how to get Fortunato to say yes. “At the most remote end of the crypt there appeared another less spacious. Its walls had been lined with human remains, piled to the vault overhead, in the

In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allen Poe, the dark side of human nature is illustrated through the character of Montresor and his victim, Fortunato. Montresor is a manipulative and vengeful person whom is obsessed with the downfall of Fortunato. Through the acts, words, and the thoughts of Montresor, one is able to see him carry out his plan for revenge.

There are many uses of irony throughout “The Cask of Amontillado.” One example that Poe includes states, “I drink,” he said, “to the buried that repose around us. “And I to your long life.” (passage 3) This statement shows a use of dramatic irony because the reader knows that the narrator, Montresor, has no intention of cheering the life of Fortunato and has a careful plan to murder him. This quote also demonstrates dramatic irony because it shows how Fortunato genuinely believed in the good intentions of Montresor, which would eventually result in his demise. This use of irony helps build up the rising action and suspense of the story leaving the reader wondering when the narrator is going to strike and kill Fortunato. Overall this use of

<br>The way the narrator treats his enemy is one of the clearest examples for ironic elements. When the characters meet, Montresor realises that Fortunato is afflicted with a severe cold, nevertheless he makes a point of him looking "remarkably well". Montresor acts in the most natural and friendly way towards the man object of his revenge, and even praises his "friend's" knowledge in the subject of wines. Also upon their meeting, Montresor begins a psychological manipulation of Fortunato. He claims that he needs his knowledge to ascertain that the wine he has purchased is indeed Amontillado. Furthermore, he acknowledges that Fortunato is engaged in another business (i.e.: the celebration of carnival), so he would go to Luchresi, who, one is made to believe, is a competitor of Fortunato's. To these words, Fortunato is forced by his pride to accompany Montresor to the vaults (where the Amontillado is kept), dissipate his doubts and also to prove his higher status than Luchresi as a connoisseur of wine. In fact, during their way down under in the catacombs, the twisted mind of Montresor, dares to give Fortunato the chance to go back, due to the almost unbearable dampness and foulness rampant in the vaults and Fortunato's state of health. The narrator clearly knows about the stubborn nature of Fortunato, and is

In the beginning of the story Montresor shows that he is planning revenge on Fortunato and that is the only thing on Montresor mind. “ I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge.”(1) This supports the theme because Montresor holds in a grudge and takes it

The narrator takes on a serious tone in regards to his friend’s health and offered him some Medoc wine. Montresor constantly displays a kind and caring demeanor towards Fortunato when he offered his arm to keep his gait steady in the dark, dank, smelly corridor that is littered with bones. As the Montresor leads Fortunato, he again offers him the opportunity to head back and he states “over the wall; you cannot help feeling the nitre. Indeed it is very damp. Once more let me implore you to return.”

Well you can definitely see that Montresor is not the good guy in the story, and he shows that he is alright with murder. Montresor coat of arms is a "A huge human foot d'or, in a field Azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel," and the motto is "Nemo me impune lacessit." Which also shows that he comes from a family that doesn’t take things too well. Montresor also tries to savor the death of fortunato by making little puns toward Fortunato and using irony. Which also shows that he might be bragging to

It is truly awful that the reader is expected to side with Montresor because of some unnamed insult Fortunato has committed upon him. Montresor is adamant he must exact his revenge on Fortunato, despite the fact that he is very friendly with Fortunato up until he locks him up for eternity. The reader is supposed to realize that he has reasons for his actions “and these are reasons we should he able to understand. Therein lies a deeper horror in the story” (White). Montresor is far too obsessed with revenge to realize the dark evil of his acts.

Montresor’s revenge on Fortunato is perfectly planned. He uses Fortunato’s weak point (wine) to assure that he will go with him. Montresor knows how people mind work. Montresor insists on asking Montresor about his health. The more he insists, the more Montresor wants to continue. Also, Montresor uses Luchesi to make Fortunato want to continue even more. Montresor’s smartness and mastermind is something I really admire of him.

Montresor replies, “Nemo me impune lacessit” which translates to: no one can hurt me and get away with it unharmed or otherwise (Poe 70). This quote shows that the idea of revenge has long infused itself into the minds of the Montresors, causing them to live in this peculiar manner that vengeance is just. Montresor knows no different having been taught the same thing as a child. I can gather that the need for revenge has passed from parent to offspring for generations, and is therefore a crucial part in the Montresors’ life. Montresor feels as though there is no other way to please his family, and thus, murders Fortunato right in front of their eyes (or rather skeletons). In the end, Montresor’s desire for revenge is a huge part of him that cannot be quenched until Fortunato is slain by his hands.

Montresor wants revenge on Fortunato because he made him look like a fool. In the story, Montresor is plotting his plan for revenge against