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Use Of Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe

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In “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, Montresor lures his friend-turned-enemy Fortunato into the depths of the catacomb underneath Montresor’s home. For a reason unknown to the reader, Montresor seeks revenge against Fortunato. With an enticing, irresistible plan Montresor uses Fortunato’s pride to deceive and eventually kill Fortunato. Without Poe’s use of irony, the suspense throughout the plot would be inadequate in setting the story's disturbing tone. Irony through characterization and location affects the readers with the greatest amount of suspense in this short story. An intelligent young man by the name of Montresor, which sounds awfully similar to “monster,” is the main character. Montresor’s cunning ability to manipulate Fortunato helps influence …show more content…

Montresor greets Fortunato and says “my dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day” (Poe 227). The deceitful conversation tricks Fortunato and creates a false sense of trust in Montresor. Although Montresor refers to Fortunato as his dearest friend, Fortunato does not realize that Montresor is responsible for his unfortunate death. Poe characterizes Fortunato as a clown with his costume of motley. “[Fortunato] had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells” (Poe 227). Poe alludes to the fact that Fortunato is a fool to trust such vengeful manipulation from Montresor. In addition, Montresor fools Fortunato to believe that he was being truthful when he said: “we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no

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