Edgar Allen Poe
Edgar Allen Poe's use of verbal and dramatic irony as well as symbolism in the short story " The Cask of Amontillado" supports his theme of pride and revenge. The story depicts two men, Montresor and Fortunato, the first man feels he has to seek revenge because of family pride and the latter walks into his own coffin because of his pride in being a wine connoisseur. Verbal irony is defined as a statement in which the literal meaning differs from the implicit meaning (A62). The narrator, Montresor, uses reverse psychology on Fortunato through out this great short story. The first instance is when Montresor meets Fortunato at the festival and greets him in such a friendly manner. Montresor says, "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met" (70). Montresor knows this is not a fortunate meeting for Fortunato but one that will lead to his demise. As Montresor skillfully uses reverse psychology to lure Fortuanto to the catacombs, with the pretense of having him taste Amontillado (Sherry) for its authenticity, he expresses such concern over Fortunato's health. Fortunato has a very bad cough that takes its toll as he follows Montresor to where the pipe of amontillado is to be located. Montresor suggests that they should turn back be
I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation" (70). Fortunato tells Montresor, "[T]he cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. Poe uses symbolism throughout " The Cask of Amontillado". Montresor's pride in his family motto " Nemo me impune lacessit" (72), which means " No one provokes me with impunity" (72), is what drives him to the vengeful act of murder. Montresor goes on to describe the arms as, "A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure: the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel" (72). Poe conveys to the reader that pride can lead one to behave in such a manner that one may not behave normally, such as killing to avenge one's family pride. It is Fortunato's pride, in being the best wine connoisseur, which makes him continue the journey down to the catacombs. Dramatic irony is defined as a plot device in which a character holds a position or has an expectation that is reversed or fulfilled in a way that the character did not expect but that we, as readers or as audience members, have anticipated because our knowledge of events or individuals is more complete than the characters (A55). The huge gold foot symbolizes Montresor's desire to seek revenge by crushing Fortunato to death. As the two men enter the catacombs in search of the amotillado, Fortunato inquires about Montresor's arms (family crest). Montresor seeks revenge against Fortunato because of an insult he bestowed upon Montresor's family. The serpent represents Fortunato and the insult inflicted upon Montresor and his family. Poe uses dramatic irony from the very first sentence of the short story, " The Cask of Amontillado". In Edgar Allen Poe's short story, " Cask of Amontillado", Poe addresses the issue of pride as being a very dangerous thing to posses. Poe also shows the effect of dramatic irony by naming the character Fortunato, which means fortunate, but Fortunato is anything but fortunate in this story.
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Acceptance Essays
