Cask of Amontillado
“The Cask of Amontillado” Essay
In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” the author uses elements of dialogue, setting, and characterization to illustrate the irony of Fotunato’s demise.
In this short story, there are many cases of ironic dialogue used between the two characters. For instance, when Montresor first talks with Fortunato, he says, “ ‘My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking today!’ ” (Poe 210). The quote is ironic because he was not luckily met and it will end in his death.
Another occasion where dialogue is used, is when Montresor and Fortunato are talking in the catacombs of the Montresor’s. Fortunato says, “ ‘the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me [Fortunato]. I shall not die of a cough’ ” (Poe 211). It is ironic because he is not going to die of a cough, he is going to die because Montresor is going to kill him.
Dialogue in which irony is prevalent can be found within the various conversations amongst the characters. For example“ ‘And I [drink] to your long life’ ” (Poe 211). Fortunato will not have a long life and Montresor said that on purpose to toy with him. It is ironic because Montresor is going to kill him.
The setting of the story is described in depth while Montresor and Fortunato walk. In particular, after first walking in through the catacombs Montresor ironically points out the background of the cavern walls. He says, “It is farther on,” said I, “but observe the white web-work which gleams from these cavern walls” (Poe 211). In this quote, the setting is described as being covered in white web-works. The quote is ironic because it shows how Fortunato is walking into a trap.
The description of the setting is used many times during the story. While Montresor and Fortunato walked the floors of the catacombs Montresor describes the cavern. An example is after they started walking for a while then Montresor explains the scenery when he says, “We had passed through
In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” the author uses elements of dialogue, setting, and characterization to illustrate the irony of Fotunato’s demise.
In this short story, there are many cases of ironic dialogue used between the two characters. For instance, when Montresor first talks with Fortunato, he says, “ ‘My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking today!’ ” (Poe 210). The quote is ironic because he was not luckily met and it will end in his death.
Another occasion where dialogue is used, is when Montresor and Fortunato are talking in the catacombs of the Montresor’s. Fortunato says, “ ‘the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me [Fortunato]. I shall not die of a cough’ ” (Poe 211). It is ironic because he is not going to die of a cough, he is going to die because Montresor is going to kill him.
Dialogue in which irony is prevalent can be found within the various conversations amongst the characters. For example“ ‘And I [drink] to your long life’ ” (Poe 211). Fortunato will not have a long life and Montresor said that on purpose to toy with him. It is ironic because Montresor is going to kill him.
The setting of the story is described in depth while Montresor and Fortunato walk. In particular, after first walking in through the catacombs Montresor ironically points out the background of the cavern walls. He says, “It is farther on,” said I, “but observe the white web-work which gleams from these cavern walls” (Poe 211). In this quote, the setting is described as being covered in white web-works. The quote is ironic because it shows how Fortunato is walking into a trap.
The description of the setting is used many times during the story. While Montresor and Fortunato walked the floors of the catacombs Montresor describes the cavern. An example is after they started walking for a while then Montresor explains the scenery when he says, “We had passed through