Examples Of Dramatic Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado

Here’s some Amontillado
Irony is the best way to go about revenge in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado”, Montresor decides to take Fortunato’s life as revenge for a serious insult. After all the antagonist’s family motto is “Nemo me impune lacessit” (Poe530), which means no man attacks me with impunity. The audience knows that a mortal event is about to happen, with insulter on the receiving end. During the carnival, Montresor lures Fortunato by asking him if he is not too busy to taste the Amontillado. Though Montessor has suggested that Luchesi help him decide, Fortunato’s pride as a winetasting connoisseur and greed to taste such an exquisite liquor, keep him from backing down. Through misdirection, Montresor chains him to the crypt and seals the tomb with him inside. All the way, it is apparent subtle allusions keep the suspense muscle engaged. The dramatic irony is followed …show more content…
However, the final piece of irony is the biggest switch. Now it’s Fortunato’s turn. Fortunato recognizes that Montresor takes satisfaction in torturing him by not responding to his cries for help. When Montresor calls out “Fortunato!” and there is no response, the tables have turned. Fortunato spites Montresor with a final act of defiance. Now Montresor’s heart grows sick. The reader doesn’t expect that for Fortunato to get the last laugh from Montresor. Fortunato recognizes that the enemy takes pleasure in torturing him by ignoring his pleas. When Montresor calls out “Fortunato!” there is no response; Fortunato slaps Montresor with a terminal defiance. Poe writes that “[Montresor’s] heart grew sick -on account of his labor.”(Poe 533). Perhaps, He realized his guilt for this unplanned ending. Montessor states that since that night, “For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.”(Poe 533). Truly, the last irony should be how Montresor has finally disturb the memory of the remains that lays