Irony in "The Cask of Amontillado"
Irony is a literary device often associated with humorous writing. Some readers may be happy when they understand what the irony is. "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe contains an abundance of irony. However, "The Cask of Amontillado" isn't humorous because the irony is very dark, dramatic, and tragic.
First, the irony in "The Cask of Amontillado" is very dark. The irony of the setting is achieved through the contrast of the carnival and the catacombs of Montresor's. It is ironic because outside in the city, the vibe is happy. People are partying and having a good time. "It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend," (212). While inside, underneath the catacombs, it is dark and scary. "Its walls had been lined with human remains, piled to the vault overhead, in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris," (215). Montresor realizes what the occasion is, but it doesn't matter to him. He will still vow to get revenge from Fortunato by killing him. Killing someone to get revenge is no laughing matter.
In addition, Edgar Allan Poe's irony is very dramatic in this story. For example, Fortunato is dressed as a jester for the carnival. "The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells," (212). He is masquerading as a fool. Montresor actually treats him as a fool. This is an example of dramatic irony. Another example is when Montresor takes notice of Fortunato's cough. "How long have you had that cough?" (214). Montresor doesn't actually care about Fortunato's health, therefore this is verbal irony. When Montresor observes that, he acts very flamboyantly.
Lastly, the irony portrayed throughout the story is extremely tragic. Fortunato keeps drinking even though he has a bad cough. "I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us," (214). He drinks to the dead in the catacombs, and later he ends up dead. Then, Fortunato doesn't know how good of a mason Montresor is until he walls him up and leaves him to die. "You? Impossible! A Mason?" "A Mason," I replied," (215). Another example is when Montresor says that no one has disturbed the bones for half a century and he says "In pace requiescat" which means "May he rest in peace." "For half of the century no mortal has disturbed them. In pace requiescat," (217). Readers know that Montresor doesn't really mean that. Those three examples are dreadful.
Ultimately, "The Cask of Amontillado" is not humorous because the irony portrayed is very dark, dramatic, and tragic. Since the irony is like that, it isn't funny but probably just suspenseful. The story wasn't hilarious because someone died and that is not something to laugh at. Also, Montresor is cleary evil and disturbed in his thought processes. Not all examples of irony are humorous.
Why I chose this piece: I chose this piece because it shows a different side to my writing. The essay has a dark mood, which is very rare in the things that I write. Most of the things I write are pretty optimistic. I liked reading this story in class. The examples of irony are brilliant. I felt like I did very well in choosing quotes. I show that I understand the irony by fully explaining them to support my quotes that I chose.
First, the irony in "The Cask of Amontillado" is very dark. The irony of the setting is achieved through the contrast of the carnival and the catacombs of Montresor's. It is ironic because outside in the city, the vibe is happy. People are partying and having a good time. "It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend," (212). While inside, underneath the catacombs, it is dark and scary. "Its walls had been lined with human remains, piled to the vault overhead, in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris," (215). Montresor realizes what the occasion is, but it doesn't matter to him. He will still vow to get revenge from Fortunato by killing him. Killing someone to get revenge is no laughing matter.
In addition, Edgar Allan Poe's irony is very dramatic in this story. For example, Fortunato is dressed as a jester for the carnival. "The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells," (212). He is masquerading as a fool. Montresor actually treats him as a fool. This is an example of dramatic irony. Another example is when Montresor takes notice of Fortunato's cough. "How long have you had that cough?" (214). Montresor doesn't actually care about Fortunato's health, therefore this is verbal irony. When Montresor observes that, he acts very flamboyantly.
Lastly, the irony portrayed throughout the story is extremely tragic. Fortunato keeps drinking even though he has a bad cough. "I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us," (214). He drinks to the dead in the catacombs, and later he ends up dead. Then, Fortunato doesn't know how good of a mason Montresor is until he walls him up and leaves him to die. "You? Impossible! A Mason?" "A Mason," I replied," (215). Another example is when Montresor says that no one has disturbed the bones for half a century and he says "In pace requiescat" which means "May he rest in peace." "For half of the century no mortal has disturbed them. In pace requiescat," (217). Readers know that Montresor doesn't really mean that. Those three examples are dreadful.
Ultimately, "The Cask of Amontillado" is not humorous because the irony portrayed is very dark, dramatic, and tragic. Since the irony is like that, it isn't funny but probably just suspenseful. The story wasn't hilarious because someone died and that is not something to laugh at. Also, Montresor is cleary evil and disturbed in his thought processes. Not all examples of irony are humorous.
Why I chose this piece: I chose this piece because it shows a different side to my writing. The essay has a dark mood, which is very rare in the things that I write. Most of the things I write are pretty optimistic. I liked reading this story in class. The examples of irony are brilliant. I felt like I did very well in choosing quotes. I show that I understand the irony by fully explaining them to support my quotes that I chose.
