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The Cask of Amontillado

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The Cask of Amontillado
Irony Analysis of “The Cask of Amontillado” In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, the main character named Montresor is set out for revenge. Montresor’s only concern is to get revenge on the man who has wronged him named Fortuanto. Montresor never states why Fortunato deserves to be punished. The only statement Montresor makes is that Fortunato “causes him a thousand injuries” until “venturing upon insult.” (Poe, Online) Montresor plans to take out his revenge by burying Fortunato alive. Montresor carries out each detail while he smiles at his victim. Montresor doesn’t smile at the thought of Fortunato’s “immolation” but because of viciousness. (Sweet Jr. Online) Montresor smiles because he believes the sacrifice of Fortunato will bring him a great reward. Fortunato is ironically the “mirror self” of Montresor (Sweet Jr. Online). Montresor’s desire to bury Fortunato alive “paints the psychological portrait of repression” (Sweet Jr. Online). The burial of Fortunato represses Montresor’s evil nature and puts him at peace. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Edgar Allan Poe uses irony to develop his theme of seeking salvation through repression. Poe uses Fortunato’s name ironically to symbolize one personality between Montresor and Fortunato. Though Fortunato means “the fortunate one” in Italian, Fortuanto meets an unfortunate fate as the victim Montresor’s overall revenge plot. (Stott, Online) Therefore, the Fortunato side of Montresor symbolizes fortune. Montresor’s desire is to repress Fortunato. Since “the love of money is the root of all evils,” a fortune would “plunge a man into ruin and destruction” (1Timothy 6:9-10). The Fortunato side of Montresor’s personality wants to have wealth. The wealth Fortunato receives makes him both respected and feared. (Poe, Online) By having wealth, Fortunato causes Montresor “a thousand injuries”(Poe, Online). When Fortunato’s wealth gains the fear of others, he “ventures upon insulting God” (Poe, Online). When a
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