Irony In Cask Of Amontillado Essay Research

Irony In Cask Of Amontillado Essay, Research Paper

Irony in Edgar Allen Poe.s

.The Cask of Amontillado.

.The Cask of Amontillado. is a story wherein the reader can find a multiple array of ironic acts and intentions. There are examples of both dramatic and verbal irony throughout this clever tale of horror. Even the setting reveals some sense of irony as we travel from a joyous carnival scene to a dismal cavern of death. It is best to begin with an analysis of the irony in this tale by following the chronology of the story itself. In the naming, the dialogue, the characterization, and in the setting of .The Cask of Amontillado. the irony, as it is woven throughout the tale, becomes self-evident and its purpose more meaningful.

Prior to the initial meeting between the narrator and Fortunato we are already aware that there is nothing fortunate about Fortunato. We are alone with the narrator in this knowledge and we are also aware that whatever will occur in the tale has already passed by fifty years ago. The irony of his name is revealed to us even before we know what is to happen to his ill-fated life.

Clearly, Fortunato is a man of good wealth and reputation who has done some harm to our narrator. The exact nature of their conflict is arguable though evidence within the story points toward religious tension. Fortunato belongs to a secretive group known as the Freemasons whereas the narrator, by his description of the events, is positively not a fellow member. It may be that the narrator belongs to more conservative traditions that found the Freemasons to be enemies. This is evident when Fortunato is given a bottle of De Grave by our narrator: .He laughed and threw the bottle upwards with a gesticulation I did not understand. I looked at him in surprise. He repeated the movement – a grotesque one. (p. 1570.) That grotesque gesticulation could not be anything other than a secret code of the Freemasons. When Montresor is asked to display a sign of his membership he is unable to comply in the proper manner. He takes a trowel from beneath his cloak and displays the tool instead. Fortunato, believing the gesture to be a joke, assumes that Montresor is indeed a member. Of course the irony here is that Fortunato, a Freemason, will eventually be bricked up behind a wall with the use of this trowel. The narrator will play the part of the mason who puts the Freemason to death by masonry.

When the characters first meet at the carnival the narrator seems outright happy to meet Fortunato. They greet each other as friends but we are made aware that Montresor smiles with vengeance in his heart. This knowledge by the narrator, displayed to the reader but not to Fortunato, gives further evidence to the various manners by which Poe plays the irony game . We know the truth behind the smile whereas the character in the story does not: .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. (p. 1567.)

With the initial meeting in place, the narrator need only lure Fortunato to his doom. The two characters share a common taste for fine wines and that is the bait that Montresor uses to reel his victim in. Amontillado seems impossible for anyone to have received in the middle of the festivities and the drunken Fortunato finds such an accomplishment to be incredulous. Montresor, prepared for such a response, plays on Fortunato.s arrogance: . .As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchresi. If any one has a critical turn it is he. He will tell me –. . (p. 1568.) Fortunato, arguing that Luchresi is terrible in the knowledge of wines, demands that he must come and taste the pipe for himself. Ironically Fortunato is dressed in the fool.s attire and readily plays the part.

Henceforth it is a verbal irony that paves Fortunato.s misfortune. It seems as if on every step and turn he attempts to talk his victim out of following him to his lair. Ironically he appears to be especially concerned about Fortunato.s health. The catacombs are damp and chilly and Fortunato is ill with a cold. At one point the narrator argues that it is not in Fortunato.s best health to follow him to the Amontillado: ..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.. (p. 1569.) Little does Fortunato know that his health means nothing to Montresor nor that he will indeed be missed for a very long time. A most memorable dialogue in the tale comes when the narrator again attempts to convince Fortunato to turn back from the unhealthy surroundings, with which he responds, ..I shall not die of a cough.. .True – true,. I replied. (p.1569.) It is ironic to note that the reader is well aware that Fortunato shall not die of a cough.

They travel further into the catacombs refreshing themselves with other wines whilst continuing on their journey. Fortunato drinks from a bottle of Medoc and toasts to .the buried that repose around us. (p. 1569.) Montresor replies with a toast to his victim.s long life. In one instant both hunter and game drink to the walls of the dead. Shortly after this shared drink Fortunato enquires after the Montresor family arms and motto: ..I forget your arms.. .A huge human foot d.or, in a filed azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedd