Dramatic Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado

“The Cask of Amontillado” is a story of revenge, but the author never told exactly what Fortunato did. Montresor presents us with only a vague understanding of his motivations, and his pretense of good will and careful manipulation of Fortunato indicates the care with which he has planned Fortunato’s death. Both of the men want the same thing. Edgar Poe has a strong way of reproducing great literary elements in the story; the theme of revenge is explained with the use of irony. One irony used in this story is dramatic irony, which is when the readers understand it and the characters does not. “You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi-” “Enough,” he said; “the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough.” “True-true” (Poe 228). Montresor means that the cough was harmless, but what he was also saying is that he planned to kill Fortunato. Fortunato cannot admit to physical weakness that would interfere with his ability to test the Amontillado. He must also prove that Montresor was taken advantage of. Montresor knew Fortunato will not turn back because of his pride. Another irony Poe use is verbal irony, which is when someone says something and means something else. “He is an ignoramus” (Poe 229). Fortunato uses the
Situational irony is when the outcome is significantly different from what was expected to happen. I think The Cask of Amontillado use situational irony because at the beginning I thought they was just going to a pipe to drink wine but to find out Montresor was taking Fortunato down there to kill him. “Come, let us go.” “Whither?” “To your vault” (Poe 227). Another example is that the word cask means “wine barrel,” but also comes from the word casket. So, Fortunato believe he will reach a cask of wine but is actually going to meet his casket because Montresor is going to kill