The first example of irony in this story lies in the character’s name. The name Forunato is ironic because it sounds like the word fortunate. Also Fortunato translates to “fortunate one” in Italian and suggests good luck. As we know from the beginning of the story, Fortunato is not so fortunate and his future lies in the hands of Montresor.…
“The Cask of the Amontillado” is a short story by Edgar Allen Poe. It is about a most likely deranged man who exacts revenge on his old friend for an unknown insult. The sotry’s tone is very dark and serious and has an equally dismal atmosphere. The plot contains many literary elements such as symbolism and foreshadow.…
Edgar Allen Poe is known for using many different artistic elements to create eerie, spooky stories. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Poe uses first person point of view to let the reader know how proud the narrator, Montresor, is with his past impunitistic murders. “I must not only punish but punish with impunity” (pg.236). The use of setting and imagery makes the mood dark and gloomy.…
The symbolism of this story describes what this story is about, Montresor killing Fortunato. At the time that Montresor is telling the story, he is on his deathbed confessing a terrible sin that he has done. He seems to have some regrets because he hesitates for a moment. When Montresor tries to call…
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…
The story takes place in Italy at a carnival where Montresor and Fortunato meet each other by chance, or so it is seems. The mood at the carnival is lively and exciting. It is then that the two men head towards the catacombs of Montresor's home in search of the wine Amontillado. The catacombs are a place of death where skeletons lie scattered against the damp walls, which are covered in nitre. Montresor dons a "mask of black silk" and a heavy knee length cloak (149). Montresor's clothes seem to indicate his wanting to conceal himself so he can carry out his devious plan. On the other side of the spectrum, Fortunato wears a "tight fitting parti-striped dress, and his head [is] surmounted by the conical cap and bells" (149). His clothing seems to indicate his trusting but foolish nature. The clothing of both men seems to set the mood for the type of characters they are. However, Montresor's true character is indicated through his words. From the beginning of the story his vengeful nature sets the tone for the acts that will follow. One of the first things that Montresor narrates to the reader about Fortunato is that he " must not only punish but punish with impunity" (149). Montresor is also manipulative, as he tells Fortunato that he will have someone else taste the Amontillado, knowing that by doing this Fortunato will feel compelled to taste the wine himself. "As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchresi. If anyone has a critical turn it is he. He will tell me " (150). In addition to being manipulative and vengeful he also…
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.…
Many of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories contain a wide variety of irony, motifs, and symbolism. The unity of these elements within many of his tales creates specific moods in and throughout his works. One story in particular, The Cask of Amontillado not only displays Poe’s exquisite attention to detail and mastery of literary unity, but it clearly portrays his expertise in the use of irony within this story. The most evident use of irony is through the character’s name Fortunato. The name plainly means fortunate however, the very unfortunate fate of this character is obviously found out as the story unfolds.…
The very first sentence it shows that this story is going to be told by Montresor (from a first person point of view). In the first sentence of the first paragraph Montresor claims Fortunato has bestowed “thousand injuries” against him. Even though Fortunato has supposedly insulted Montresor; Montresor never goes on to state what exactly Fortuanto has done to him. Next he states that he “vowed revenge” on Fortunato. Just from the one sentence Montresor shows he has a bias for how the story happened and played out.…
Baraban, Elena V. "The Motive for Murder in 'The Cask of Amontillado '." Rocky Mountain Review 58.2 (Fall 2004): 47-62. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Vol. 111. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 14 May 2011.…
Anything not taken in moderation can be damaging. In one of Edgar Allen Poe's best-known tales of horror, "The Cask of Amontillado," he suggests that pride can be a very dangerous thing, when one is overwhelmed with it. Through the use of foreshadowing, irony, and symbolism, Poe presents a horrific drama of two men. 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 fall of his own death. Fortunato falls prey to Montressor's plans because he is so proud of his connoisseurship of wine, and it is for the sake of his own pride that Montressor takes revenge on Fortunato. Poe utilizes the theme of pride and many other literary techniques such as foreshadowing, revenge, and irony, in order to create a horrific and suspenseful masterpiece.…
First, we will speak about Fortunato’s tragic flaw: His ego. We see throughout the story that Fortunato believes himself to be the best at what he does. Believes himself to be the best wine connoisseur there is. It is due to this flaw that Montresor was able…
In “The Cask of Amontillado”, Edgar Allan Poe uses irony to develop the central idea of revenge. He uses irony in naming the character of Fortunato. Fortunato’s name means “fortune”. He is a man of wealth who is being blindly led to his death by Montresor in search of justifiable revenge. Poe also uses irony in the dialogue, “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking today”. Montresor is pleased to see him. Although Fortunato looks good now, he will be dead by the end of the story when Montresor puts his plan into action. Later, Montresor is concerned about his coughing. Montresor said, “We will go back. Your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved..”. Montresor tells him to go back because…
Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado," is a story of revenge to the highest degree. This theme is evident in the first sentence, "the thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge." The suggestion of vengeance is repeated several more times in the opening paragraph. Poe gives us a view at premeditated murder from the details in his story told through the eyes of Montresor. While he carefully removes unnecessary parts of the story, Poe elaborately and vividly relates this bone-chilling tale of revenge while keeping his audience waiting for more. The theme of Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" is reprisal and he uses all the elements of fiction (plot, setting, characters, and theme) in illustrating this theme to his readers.…
Edgar Allen Poe’s “The cask of Amontillado” is a sinister tale of revenge narrated by a character named Montresor. The setting takes place in an underground tomb in Italy during carnival season. In this story, Montresor too plays the role of main character. I chose to analyze him because his character traits are ones that I can relate to. In addition to the character traits being identifiable, these character traits also play a big role throughout the story. Montresor’s vengefulness, cleverness, and confidence assist him in the murder of his friend.…