The Cask of Amontillado

A Deeper Insight of "The Cask of Amontillado" It is Edgar Allan Poe's intense use of symbolism and irony throughout "The Cask of Amontillado" that establishes the short story as a candidate worthy of analysis. The skillful use of these devices are utilized by the author to create this horrific and suspenseful short story. Irony and symbolism in "The Cask of Amontillado" greatly effect the outcome of Fortunato's well being. "The Cask of Amontillado" should be regarded as a slice of a horror story, which revolves around the theme of revenge and pride" (Levine 90). "Poe's story is a case of premeditated murder. The reader becomes quickly aware of the fact that Montressor is not a reliable narrator, and that he has a tendency to hold grudges and exaggerate terribly, as he refers to the thousand of injuries that he has suffered at the hands of Fortunato" (Womack NP). The story relates a horrible revenge made even more horrible by the fact that the vengeance is being taken when no real offense had been given. Montressor is "one who will stop at nothing to get the revenge that he deems himself and his family worthy of, and another who's pride will ultimately be the catalyst for his death" (Benton 215). " Irony is a manner of expression through which words or events convey a reality different from and even opposite to appearance or expectation" (Juvante NP). The use of such devices in this story provides it with humor and wit, and makes the piece more interesting to read. The sustained irony is detected through style, tone, and the clear use of exaggeration of Montressor. From the very beginning, we notice the use of irony in the story. The very name Fortunato would clearly imply that this is a man of good fortune, when the actual case is that he is about to suffer a most untimely demise: the end of his own life. The setting in which the story takes place again shows an ironic element. It is during Venice's Carnival that the characters meet. "Carnival is