Book Review Sample on Revenge of Montresor: Edgar Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado"

Introduction

Written by Edgar Poe, “The Cask of Amontillado” follows a gothic writing style which he is fond of using in most of his writings. However, the narrative, in this case, contains some levels of humor mainly characterized by irony. In this narrative, the author takes the audience through a journey when the main character, Montresor, has been constantly wronged by Fortunado. Montresor plans to avenge these wrongs by enticing a drunk Fortunado into underground catacombs.

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Main Character

Montresor promises Fortunado to let him enjoy some of the amontillado wine that has been preserved there. Blindly, Fortunado falls into the trap without knowing he is being led to his death. On reaching the catacombs, Montresor ties him and builds a barrier and buries Fortunado alive (Akbar and Rawa 569). Some of the elements portrayed by Poe in this narrative include verbal, situational, and dramatic irony. This paper provides a detailed discussion of the different types of irony as applied throughout the narrative.

Situational Irony

First, situational irony usually appears in contrary events different from the expectations of the character. A good example of this type of irony is when readers and characters go to a marital ceremony, and then the groom appears to be heartbroken for marrying the bride (O'Donnell n.p). The name Fortunado is itself presents situational irony. As the name goes, the audience might expect that this individual is fortunate. However, as the narrative unfolds, the audience comes to a realization that indeed the character is unfortunate based on the misfortunes that accompany him as he is enticed to his demise. When he goes to meet Montresor, Fortunado anticipates a cask of wine. However, to his surprise, he finds a coffer that points to his ultimate death.

A different example of situational irony arose when Montresor told the domestics that he would not be home until dawn and that they could go rest until he was back. In such a scenario, the audience is alarmed that something fishy would happen during the night (Akbar and Rawa 571). Montresor applied reverse psychology on his domestics to have a guarantee that they would not be around when he came home with Fortunato.

Situational irony is also evidenced in the scenario where Montresor states, “My dear Fortunado, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking today. But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts” (Poe n.p). Based on this statement, the audience has some information/clue that Montresor plans of what Montresor plans to do on Fortunado, which is to revenge. The meeting is, therefore, just but something lucky for Montresor. In such a scenario, the author applies situational irony to develop and define Montresor’s character by showcasing how it is easy for him to entice Fortunado to accomplish his mission.

Dramatic Irony

Secondly is the dramatic irony and which is the most prominent in the narrative. This type of irony mainly describes situations where the audience already knows something that the characters are not aware of (O'Donnell n.p). Already, the audience knows that Montresor despises Fortunato, and his actions are meant to entice Fortunato into the crypts for bad reasons. Another example of dramatic irony is the scenario where Fortunado clad as a jester for a night of fun and entertainment. When he meets Montresor on this night, he believes his actions are good and only meant for fun. Fortunato is masked as a fool on this occasion, and Montresor considers him to be one. The audience already knows why Montresor treats Fortunato as a fool and what will happen to him. Only Fortunato is not aware of what is ahead of him.

Verbal Irony

Thirdly is a verbal irony, which is the most common in everyday life, mainly when individuals say a reverse of what they mean. Verbal irony is mainly characterized by sarcasm. A real example of verbal irony is when individual claims to be exceptionally happy while sitting next to another guy they hate. An excellent example of this type of irony in the narrative is when Fortunado states that “…the cough’s a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall no die of a cough” (Poe n.p). In this scenario, Fortunato appears to be suffering from a dreadful cough as he goes down to the wine basement.

The cough is mainly because of the niter on the walls of the catacomb. Montresor responds to the statement by providing an assurance statement supporting the claim that Fortunado will not die (Akbar and Rawa 572). Such a response is sarcasm since Montresor is quite sure that his mate is nearing his death. Also, Montresor appears to be so generous to yet deceitful Fortunato by offering him more drinks as drive him closer to his demise.

Another example of verbal irony is the scenario when Montresor and Fortunado toast to each other as they drink some wine. Fortunato states, “I drink...to the buried that repose around us." Montresor responded with his tribute: "And I to your long life" (Poe n.p). The statement is ironic because Montresor intends to bury his mate in the crypts and hence give a toast to life, knowing it is just a matter of time before Fortunato dies. On the other hand, Fortunato gives a toast without the knowledge that he would be joining the dead within a few moments.

While in the catacombs, Fortunato has several coughs, and Montresor asks him to go out several. However, Fortunato continues to go in in order to sample some amontillado wine. At the end of the narrative, Montresor chains up his mate on the wall and asks for the final time, “Once more, let me implore you to return. No?” (Poe n.p) The actions and words, in this case, demonstrate verbal irony since Montresor is pretty sure that his enslaved friend cannot return. Montresor has no intention of letting Fortunato free as he is about to succeed in his revenge.

Conclusion

Even though the narrative is quite dark, it has some humorous scenes and incidents, thanks to the author for applying irony. Montresor's avenge in “The Cask of Amontillado” is successfully described through different irony categories, which are found all over the narrative. Verbal irony is mostly present when the protagonist, Montresor, makes sarcastic statements to Fortunato concerning his foreseeable demise (O'Donnell n.p). On the other hand, situational irony makes the setting of the narrative fairly amusing since Montresor convinces Fortunato how fortunate he is to have found him. Finally, the dramatic irony appears in the entire narrative and which keeps the audience informed of the unfortunate events leading to Fortunato's death.

Works Cited

Akbar, Nadia Ali, and Rawa Jawad Khadim. "Irony in The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe and “A Good Man is Hard to Find by Mary Flannery O'Connor." Basic Education College Magazine For Educational and Humanities Sciences 33 (2017): 567-578.

O'Donnell, Christi. "Forms of Irony." The Pen and the Pad, 2017.

Poe, Edgar Allan. “The cask of Amontillado.” The Creative Company, 2008.