Theme Of Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado

Irony is the contrast of our anticipations and reality, between what is said and what is really meant, between what we expect to happen and what really does happen. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allan Poe employs dramatic and verbal irony to develop his characters and plot. The reader is aware since the beginning that Montresor hates Fortunato and lures him into the catacombs for revenge. Fortunato’s expectations of tasting the amontillado (wine) are far from the reality of what actually happened in the story. In this story Poe only develops two characters Montresor and Fortunato. Ironically, Fortunato’s name means luck and/or chance. How lucky was Fortunato when the story in spite of his name, he was most unlucky as he was lead to his death. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allan Poe uses irony to form a dramatic story of a gentleman who seeks for revenge to find pleasure.

Montresor’s words to Fortunato are excellent example of verbal irony. The discrepancy between the word said and its true meaning, “I said to him – ‘My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day’” (Poe 1612). The story takes place in carnival time, Fortunato masquerades as a fool in a build cap and jesters clothing. His costume is an example of dramatic irony we know Fortunato is being taken for a fool, but he is not aware of it. Poe sets the stage for his story with the ironic contrast of the setting.

During Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the festival is the last opportunity to feast before the Christian’s season begins (Sexton and Oster 205). Mardi Gras is bright, colorful, and lively. It is a celebration of life, filled with costumes, dancing, and laughter. Yet, in the midst of this celebration of life, M...

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...t the new masonry I re-entered the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them. In pace requiescat” (Poe 1616). Montresor’s crime did not get discovered and his revenge was fulfilled as he pleased.

Throughout the story, we see how Poe uses irony to develop Montresor’s character in seeking revenge for his own pleasure. As stated by James W. Gargano, “[The Cask of Amontillado] degenerates into an aesthetic trick, a mere matter of clever manipulation…” Without a doubt, we see how the story goes from Montresor’s knowledgeable manipulation over Fortunato to pursue his revenge. His use of irony easily expands, “the theme of revenge for its own sake” (de Assis 225) Despite, the numerous clues of irony Montresor gives in the story; Fortunato’s arrogance does not let him see beyond the real intentions of Montresor; thus, causing his death.