Edgar Allen Poe is famous for his poems and short stories; particularly his dark, mysterious horror stories. What makes his stories so chilling, captivating, and powerful is his technique of using irony. In “The Cask of Amontillado”, various kinds of irony are on display from beginning to end in this illusive tale through the characters, Montresor and Fortunato. Poe emphasizes on three different types of irony in this story to heighten the reader’s engagement: verbal, dramatic, and situational irony. Beginning with verbal irony, it is clear throughout the story that Poe utilizes this irony to communicate one facet, but mean another. One example of verbal irony is when Montresor encounters Fortunato at the carnival at the beginning of the
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Situational irony is when events turn out the complete opposite of what one is expecting. The very name “Fortunato” plays an immense role in situational irony, because despite his name meaning “lucky” or “fortunate”, he ends up being imprisoned for life behind the walls of Montresor’s catacombs. Another example of situational irony is when Montresor explains to his attendants that he will “not return until the morning” (237), and he gives them “explicit orders not to stir from the house” (237) in his absence. For this reason, Montresor knows that his attendants will not be at home and that his house will be empty when he returns with Fortunato. This is ironic for one will expect the attendants to listen to the master’s orders, especially when they are so explicit, but their actions defy expectations. In addition, another example of situational irony is that Fortunato is wearing motley, a costume of a fool or jester, at the carnival. When Montresor sees Fortunato there, he explains it this way, “The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting partistriped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells” (237). With this being said, it is very common for people to dress up at carnivals in a costume that associates with their opposite; this means that Fortunato believes himself not be a fool, explaining why he dresses as one for the carnival. In fact, …show more content…
Without the utilization of irony, Poe’s dark, mysterious short stories would not be as illusive or engaging. Therefore, these three types of irony are what makes his writings so chilling, captivating, and
Situational irony is when events turn out the complete opposite of what one is expecting. The very name “Fortunato” plays an immense role in situational irony, because despite his name meaning “lucky” or “fortunate”, he ends up being imprisoned for life behind the walls of Montresor’s catacombs. Another example of situational irony is when Montresor explains to his attendants that he will “not return until the morning” (237), and he gives them “explicit orders not to stir from the house” (237) in his absence. For this reason, Montresor knows that his attendants will not be at home and that his house will be empty when he returns with Fortunato. This is ironic for one will expect the attendants to listen to the master’s orders, especially when they are so explicit, but their actions defy expectations. In addition, another example of situational irony is that Fortunato is wearing motley, a costume of a fool or jester, at the carnival. When Montresor sees Fortunato there, he explains it this way, “The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting partistriped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells” (237). With this being said, it is very common for people to dress up at carnivals in a costume that associates with their opposite; this means that Fortunato believes himself not be a fool, explaining why he dresses as one for the carnival. In fact, …show more content…
Without the utilization of irony, Poe’s dark, mysterious short stories would not be as illusive or engaging. Therefore, these three types of irony are what makes his writings so chilling, captivating, and