In Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Cask of Amontillado", one can find a multiple array of ironic acts that help understand the underlying meaning of the text and contribute to the formation of a certain unique effect. Evidence of dramatic irony is found when the reader was made aware of Montresor's smile:
             "[...] I continued as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was as the thought of his immolation" (Poe 2)
             This show of emotion seems to hide the vengeance within his heart when the characters first met at the carnival for the narrator's knowledge was displayed to the reader but not to Fortunato. The effect of dramatic irony was also present within the formulation of Fotunato's name. Its meaning, fortunate, clearly defies the events that transpired within his life. As the story unfolds, the reader sees that there is nothing fortunate about this man. In addition Fortunato's clown apparel adds to this effect of deception since Montressor, the narrator, intends to make a fool out of him as part of his scheme for revenge. His ignorance and naiveté while chained into the wall also enabled inference to the narrator's true intentions, which was not revealed to this character but apparently only to the reader. Fortunato's perusal of the cask became the perusal of his own casket for it looks as though he literally walks into his own grave. (Ross 3)
             There are also numerous verbal ironies within Montresor's words that pave Fortunato's misfortune. Proof of this is a line in the story given by the narrator: "True – true..." (Poe 36) in response to Fortunato saying, "I will not die of cough" (Poe 35). Both the reader and the narrator are conscious that the true cause of Fortunato's death will not be due to a pathetic illness but through Montresor's own hands. Additionally, in one incident with...