Cask Of Amontiallo By Poe Essay, Research Paper

In the short story "The Cask of Amontillado," Edgar Allan Poe writes

in first person point of view, from the perspective of Montresor, the diabolical

narrator of this tale, who vows revenge against Fortunato. Montresor began to

develop the perfect plan for retribution. During the carnival season, Montresor

encounters Fortunato and decides to implement his plan carefully not to arouse

Fortunato’s suspicions through irony. Poe’s story describes the inner workings

of a murderer’s mind, Montresor, who has lived the memory of Fortunato’s death

for fifty years. Poe uses different types of irony in the conversations between

Montresor and Fortunato. First, Poe uses dramatic irony in the story. For

example, Montresor expresses concern about Fortunato’s health. Montresor points

out, "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" (434). Both the reader and

Montresor know of his devious plan of murder that awaits Fortunato when he

descends into the catacombs in search for the wine. But, Fortunato, naпve,

does not suspect that Montresor is capable of such an act. Montresor pretends

that he is concerned about Fortunato’s health, when he says they should go back.

In fact, Montresor could care less about Fortunato’s health; he is just

concerned about his own advantage of manipulation by luring him into the

catacombs to carry out his plan. Montresor also intends to be responsible for

Fortunato’s death. Montresor does not want Fortunato to die of a cough or from

the niter in the catacombs, but of his own destruction. The drunken Fortunato is

the only one in the story who is unaware of Montresor’s real motives; which

demonstrates situational irony. Another example is when the two men are having a

conversation about returning to the carnival, but Fortunato insists going to the

catacombs with Montresor. Fortunato states, "Enough, he said; the cough is

a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough" (434).

Then Montresor states, "True–true, I replied; and, indeed, I had no

intention of alarming you unnecessarily–but you should use all proper

caution" (434). Poe illustrates this irony: the reader knows of the

narrator’s intentions but Fortunato does not. Little does Fortunato know how

true his words are. Fortunato is not going to die of a cough, but due to

Montresor’s deceit. Secondly, Poe uses numerous examples of verbal irony. For

instance, when Montresor toasts to Fortunato’s long life. Montresor says,

"Drink?" (434). Then Fortunato says, "I drink, ?to the buried

that repose around us." Then again, Montresor says, ‘"And I to your

long life"’ (434). Montresor, however, does not intend for Fortunato to

live very long at all. On the contrary, Montresor is toasting because he wants

Fortunato to accompany his ancestors in the catacombs. Furthermore, Montresor

addresses Fortunato as his dear friend, when they first encounter each other.

Fortunato believes that Montresor is his friend, when actually he intends to

make a fool out of him. Thus, Montresor states, "My dear Fortunato, you are

luckily met. How remarkably you are looking today! But I have received a pipe of

what passes Amontillado, and I have my doubts" (432). Montresor calls

Fotunato "dear" when he hates this man with a passion. He also knows

that Fortunato is not dressed appropriately; he is dressed as a clown, but

Montresor still compliments him on his attire, because his attire fits with

Montresor’s plans- to make a fool out of him. Moreover, Montresor points out,

"My friend, no; I will not impose upon your good nature" (433).

Montresor again calls him his friend, which is ironic because he hates Fortunato

and considers him an enemy. He also says that Fortuanto is good, but Montresor

knows that he is not good because Fortunato insulted him. After being insulted

by Fotunato, Montresor is not about to consider him a true friend and has

planned to kill him out of revenge. In this tale of revenge, Poe illustrates a

variety of ironic situations between Montresor and Fortunato. Montresor preys

upon Fotunato’s tendency to drink, as well as upon is vanity. Poe’s story

reveals that Fortuanto’s fate is death, not life. Montresor is so evil that he

tries to convince the reader that his intentions are honorable. Every detail of

irony is so perfectly crafted to show Montresor’s cleverness to deceive his

"dear friend" Fortunato, by implying one thing but actually meaning

another.. Montresor skillfully illustrates a confession of a murderer and

justification for the actions.

Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Cask of Amontillado." Perrine’s Story and

Structure. 9th ed. Ed. Michael Rosenberg. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College,

1988.