by Amelia Tibbett

Created on: January 29, 2008   Last Updated: November 02, 2009

The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe, 1846, has to be one of the best examples of irony in American Literature that I have come across. Irony can be utilized as verbal or dramatic and this story involves both of these forms. There are different levels of irony at play in this story. Poe cleverly weaves this story so that he has perfect control of the narrative while allowing the reader some freedom in their own interpretations as well.

The basis of the story The Cask of Amontillado is stated best here " The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge." and " A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong." Essentially, It is a tale of revenge. It does not matter that whether or not we know how Fortunato insulted Montresor. The story is quite effective as it is with a bit of mystery behind it, it allows the reader the "freedom" of which I spoke to decide for his or herself what the wrong was.

Is it the tale of Montresor and Fortunato are they two friends, or foes? Here is the first case of irony. While we all know the outcome of this story, Montresor refers to Fortunato as "My friend" and pretends concern for his health about his making the trek to the vaults as they are "insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre." The irony here is that we all know that Montresor does not care about the well being of Fortunato, yet he refers to him as "friend". Take a look at Fortunato's name in and of itself. Poe was being sly here giving the very character who is doomed to die such a fortunate name. The very comment "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met." is one of the most ironic statements of the whole story, because if he had not run into Montresor at all that fateful evening, perhaps he would have had much better luck and been much more fortunate.

Something that I have picked up on, early in the story when Montresor suggests that he shall fetch Luchesi, and Fortunato says over, and over again in several different places, "Luchesi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado" I find this ironic because Fortunato cannot distinguish friend from foe - so what makes him so much better a good judge?

As the two enter the vault, again there is feigned concern for Fortunato's health, and Montresor opens a bottle of Medoc. Is Fortunato's toast not ironic? "I drink", he said

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