The Cask of Amontillado Essay example -- essays research papers

The Cask of AmontilladoIrony and symbolism are tools used in writing to convey individual messages throughout the story. It is Edgar Allan Poes intense use of symbolism and irony throughout the Cask of Amontillado that gives this in short story its suspense and horror filled theme.The Cask of Amontillado is a horror short story, which revolves around the themes of revenge and pride. The plot involves two men Montresor, the narrator, who is an Italian aristocrat seeking revenge against the second main character Fortunato, a proud humanity that flaunts about his knowledge of wines and who finally walks into his own death. Irony is defined as words or actions that convey a reality different from appearance or expectation. The use of such device in the story gives it humor and wit. The continuous use of irony is detected through style, tone and the use of exaggeration from Montresor, the narrator. From the sop up we can blatantly see the irony in the story. The name Fortunato implies that this man is of good luck, when in actuality he was about to face the end of his life. The setting itself in which the story takes place also contains an ironic element. It is during Venices Carnival that the characters meet. Carnival is supposed to be a time of celebration and happiness for everybody. However, in the tarradiddle it is a time for revenge and death. The mood changes drastically when the two characters leave the carnival for the d...