The fate of Fortunato in "The Cask of Amontillado" is everyone's greatest fear. Throughout the story Fortunato is led to believe that he has a good friend in Montresor. The friendship of these two men is less than desirable because Fortunato ends up chained and walled in to the catacombs by his "good friend", Montresor. Three types of irony portray the deceiving attributes to Montresor's "friendship" with Fortunato. Verbal irony, dramatic irony, and irony of circumstance are all very prevalent in this passage. Even Fortunato's name is ironic because it suggests good fortune, or of being fortunate; he is exactly the opposite. Fortunato is very unfortunate.
             Verbal irony is where the characters say the opposite of what they mean. There are multiple examples of this type f irony throughout this passage. Montresor "requests him to be cautious as he followed." (139) Montresor appears to care about the well being of Fortunato, but as we know, that will not be true in the end. "Come" I said, with decision," 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 matter. We will go back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible." (140) Fortunato may be a man to be missed by some, and he will now have the chance to be missed. Montresor will not miss Fortunato, however. "And I to your long life." (140) Fortunato has lived out his life already, it is about to be over. "Come, we will go back ere it is too late. Your cough-" "It is nothing." (140) Montresor continues to act concerned about Fortunato, but he knows the quick approach of his dark fate. The very last sentence of this passage is "In pace requiescat!" which means rest in peace. This is ironic because in those days being buried alive was feared ...