"It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. 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." (paragraph 2) Edgar Allen Poe's stylistic and creepy short story "The Cask of Amontillado" uses irony and a twisted wit to keep the reader on edge with a tale of a grotesque revenge murder by the narrator who always bites back when stepped upon or, insulted.
Poe's play on irony keeps a steady pace and entertains throughout the tale. An obvious example of which is the name of the narrator's victim, Fortunato. Fortunato would usually imply "good fortune" and definitely stands out when you consider the character's imminent torture and death. Fortunato's costume is as ironically jovial as his murderer, Montresors garb is suitably dark and dangerous. (paragraph 4) When the characters meet Montresor is complimentary of fortunato praising his knowlege of wine and says he looks "remarkably well". (paragraph 5) This type of exchange builds tension because the narrator has already let the reader know that he "smiles at the thought " of killing this insulting man and is at this point playing a twisted game with his victim.
The way the narrator treats his enemy is one of the clearest examples of ironic elements as well as one of the creepiest things about the story. Upon their meeting, Montresor starts to psychologically manipulate Fortunato. He claims that he needs his knowledge to help prove that the wine he has purchased is authentic Amontillado. On their way down to the catacombs the twisted mind of Montresor actually gives Fortunato the chance to go back, "Come," I said, with decision, 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. We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. (paragraph 35) The narrator clearly knows the nature of Fortunato very well, and is positive that his pride would not allow him to save himself. Dramatic Irony is the result and Fortunato continues his journey towards death by his own will.
Further evidence of the ironic theme is found with Montresor as a Mason. We think this means he is a member of the elite group of men, yet he actually is just a stonemason, someone whose job is to prepare and use stone for building. Montresor makes use of his trade as a mason as well as of the trowel he shows Fortunato when he closes up the wall that will lock up unfortunate Frotunato (ha!) inside the niche. When Fortunato is trapped behind the wall the narrator builds, Montresor echoes and even surpasses Fortunatos yelling apparently to sympathize with the victim. He is being ironic since he is actually delighted by what he has done and only stops shrieking madly when Fortunato is silent. The story ends with Montresors words In pace requiescat which translates into "May he rest in peace!" and is another morbid joke.
The very title of the story: The cask of Amontillado, represents the ultimate ruin of Fortunato and his longing for the cask which ended up being his own death casket. The Cask of Amontillado seems carefully made and perfected. The originality and artistic genius of Edgar Allan Poe flows and his wit brings the reader along at a scary pace. Every trait of irony and symbolism Poe uses contributes to a single message in a creative and original way that is both freaky and refreshing.
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