In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allen Poe masterfully locks in an eerie feeling that has his reader anxious and full of anticipation. In this short story, the main character, named Montresor, deliberately explains his plan of revenge to Fortunato, who insulted him. His plan takes place on a day of carnival in the nineteenth century and the reader finds out the truth while reading the jaw-dropping plot twist. Through his use of carefully constructed symbolism, imagery, and irony, Poe creates a mood that is both chilling and horrifying in the story. The author excellently delivers symbolism throughout the story to create a chilling feeling when the reader understands what they mean. An example of symbolism in the story is Montresor’s mask
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Poe describes the mask when he tells the reader, “Putting on a mask of black silk, and drawing a roquelaure closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo” (374). Montresor wore a black mask to the carnival for a reason. The mask represents impunity, meaning without punishment, so Montresor would not be caught taking Fortunato to the lowest level of the mansion under the river’s bed. The mask excellently covers his identity as they leave the party so he does not get caught in his evil plan, the murder of Fortunato. Another symbol Poe creates in his story is fortunato’s costume. The costume Fortunato wears represents who he is as a character. Fortunato’s costume is a piece of motley; pants that have stripes, fit him tightly and a classic jester cap with bells (372). The costume of a jester accurately describes Fortunato, who is stupid and foolish. He proves he is foolish when he falls into Montresor’s …show more content…
An example of irony in the piece is used when Montresor offers wine to Fortunato. Fortunato makes a toast to Montresor and says, “‘I drink...to the buried that repose around us…’ then Montresor replies, ‘And I to your long life’” (375). This is an example of verbal irony because later in the story, the reader understands Montresor was always intending to kill Fortunato for the insult that was directed towards him. Montresor wishes the opposite of a long life for Fortunato; to die now, rather than later. Poe marvelously integrates dramatic irony by describing Montresor’s behavior. Montresor tells the reader in the beginning that he thinks of Fortunato’s death, which leads him onto his plan later of killing him. Montresor guides the reader to understand that he did not say anything to Fortunato that would make him doubt his trust. He continued smiling, pretending all is well, all he could think about was Fortunato's death (372). Montresor makes it clear to the reader that he acts like a friend to Fortunato, yet holds a grudge against him. This is ironic because Montresor sets out to kill him; however, Fortunato has no idea what is coming. As the reader notices the uses of irony in the short story, it shows how intelligent Poe is when it comes to his writing
Poe describes the mask when he tells the reader, “Putting on a mask of black silk, and drawing a roquelaure closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo” (374). Montresor wore a black mask to the carnival for a reason. The mask represents impunity, meaning without punishment, so Montresor would not be caught taking Fortunato to the lowest level of the mansion under the river’s bed. The mask excellently covers his identity as they leave the party so he does not get caught in his evil plan, the murder of Fortunato. Another symbol Poe creates in his story is fortunato’s costume. The costume Fortunato wears represents who he is as a character. Fortunato’s costume is a piece of motley; pants that have stripes, fit him tightly and a classic jester cap with bells (372). The costume of a jester accurately describes Fortunato, who is stupid and foolish. He proves he is foolish when he falls into Montresor’s …show more content…
An example of irony in the piece is used when Montresor offers wine to Fortunato. Fortunato makes a toast to Montresor and says, “‘I drink...to the buried that repose around us…’ then Montresor replies, ‘And I to your long life’” (375). This is an example of verbal irony because later in the story, the reader understands Montresor was always intending to kill Fortunato for the insult that was directed towards him. Montresor wishes the opposite of a long life for Fortunato; to die now, rather than later. Poe marvelously integrates dramatic irony by describing Montresor’s behavior. Montresor tells the reader in the beginning that he thinks of Fortunato’s death, which leads him onto his plan later of killing him. Montresor guides the reader to understand that he did not say anything to Fortunato that would make him doubt his trust. He continued smiling, pretending all is well, all he could think about was Fortunato's death (372). Montresor makes it clear to the reader that he acts like a friend to Fortunato, yet holds a grudge against him. This is ironic because Montresor sets out to kill him; however, Fortunato has no idea what is coming. As the reader notices the uses of irony in the short story, it shows how intelligent Poe is when it comes to his writing