“The Cask of Amontillado” a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, is a tale of two men and revenge. Poe sets up the plot in a way that, at first, creates a connection between to the characters; however, over time it is clear that the connection is unfavorable. The story is dark, mysterious, and shows how easy it is to hide things. Edgar Allan Poe uses irony of the costumes, title, and setting to show the theme that there is hidden meaning behind the simplest of things.
Irony is in many sections of the story helping to create the theme. Situational irony is shown with costumes to create a greater effect of mystery. Fortunato and Montresor begin the story at the carnival. Montresor, according to criticism #2, “Wore a black mask, a short cloak, and a rapier or sword.” This example shows irony is relating to the theme in the fact that, while Montresor may be dressed like a gentleman, he is not. Also, as from the story, “Fortunato possessed himself of my arm and, putting on my mask of black silk and drawing my cloak closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.” Montresor uses his costume as irony to deceive Fortunato. He is dressed as the opposite of himself; underneath, planning a horrendous murder. The irony of his costume shows how the meaning of it is one that Fortunato cannot see, adding to the …show more content…
“The Cask of Amontillado” is much deeper than it seems. Criticism #2 states, “ It is hard to imagine Fortunato as ‘ A man to be respected, and even feared’ as he sways and staggers and fixates on the prospect of tasting more wine, the Amontillado.” Knowing this prior, Montresor counts on the fact that Fortunato could never pass up his offer. By luring him to his death with something of great excitement, irony is created because the cask is representing his downfall. Moreover, the meaning behind the wine is revenge and
Irony is in many sections of the story helping to create the theme. Situational irony is shown with costumes to create a greater effect of mystery. Fortunato and Montresor begin the story at the carnival. Montresor, according to criticism #2, “Wore a black mask, a short cloak, and a rapier or sword.” This example shows irony is relating to the theme in the fact that, while Montresor may be dressed like a gentleman, he is not. Also, as from the story, “Fortunato possessed himself of my arm and, putting on my mask of black silk and drawing my cloak closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.” Montresor uses his costume as irony to deceive Fortunato. He is dressed as the opposite of himself; underneath, planning a horrendous murder. The irony of his costume shows how the meaning of it is one that Fortunato cannot see, adding to the …show more content…
“The Cask of Amontillado” is much deeper than it seems. Criticism #2 states, “ It is hard to imagine Fortunato as ‘ A man to be respected, and even feared’ as he sways and staggers and fixates on the prospect of tasting more wine, the Amontillado.” Knowing this prior, Montresor counts on the fact that Fortunato could never pass up his offer. By luring him to his death with something of great excitement, irony is created because the cask is representing his downfall. Moreover, the meaning behind the wine is revenge and