(REview Literature)Irony in “The Cask of Amontillado”

Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Cask of Amontillado is riddled with all three types of ironies. Verbal irony is the interchangeable nature between what words are being spoken and what it actually applies. Situation irony is when the situation or event begins one way to become something entirely different as the story progresses. Lastly, dramatic irony is when a character believes something else than what the reader has been hinted too. Fortunato is the unfortunate named man who the narrator, Montresor creates all types of ironies for.

The first example of dramatic irony is prominent in the first paragraph of the story. Montresor, the narrator of the story is explaining his mind is set on revenge. Verbal irony is show through the man Fortunato, who the narrator seeks revenge against. Montresor does not show any hint of malice toward Fortunato which has created a perfect scenario to enact revenge without suspicion. Montresor already knows Fortunato’s weakness for wine, so he will use this to bait Fortunato into to a trap.

The scene is a festive party at dusk where drunkenness is already prevalent. The narrator runs into his friend who is in a ridiculous clown garb and has already drank too much. Here he tells Fortunato that he has found a wine cask of a rare wine called the Amontillado. Of course this intrigues Fortunato who is curious of the authenticity of the wine, so the narrator persuades Fortunato to join him. Montresor explains that they must go to the vaults, but Fortunato is hesitant because he is weary of the cold and tight atmosphere of a vault. Never the less Fortunato follows the narrator to his palazzo, which he has already ensured will be unoccupied. They take torches and descend into vaults which lead into the narrators family catacombs. Dramatic irony is again present because Fortunato has followed Montresor who is seeking revenge into a dark hidden place.

Fortunato begins to cough at the musky air. Montresor uses verbal irony in saying “your health is precious; you are rich, respected, admired, and beloved; you are happy, as I once was”. He hands him more wine so he won’t sober up and to keep him going. Still, because of his cough Montresor keeps insisting for Fortunato to return to the surface. At which point it is apparent that Fortunato and his arrogance creates the illusion that he is the one that is has made the choice to follow Montresor no matter what to taste the Amontillado wine. All the while Montresor is feeding him more alcohol to keep him drunk. 

Fortunato is lead to an empty space into the wall of the catacomb. He must go into the dark, and with the hint of situational irony, wraps chain links around his waist as to not get lost. Here the narrator secures a padlock while the drunken Fortunato is stumbling in the dark. Uncovering hidden mortar and stone near the niche the narrator is keeping him excited by the promise of the wine. He begins closing up the wall and inside Fortunato has still not realized his fate.

            A laugh is heard from the depths of the darkness. Fortunato isn’t convinced that he is in trouble nor is he aware of Montresor’s ill intention. Ironically, Fortunato says “We will laugh richly about this back at the party when we are drinking our wine. Let us leave.” At this point Montresor is nearly done sealing the wall, he merely responds with “yes.” Now Fortunato has sobered and probably even realized what is happening.  He shouts “For the love of god, Montresor!” Montresor drops in his torch and seals the last brick. His revenge is complete and leaves, glad to be away from the damp catacombs.