After Fortunato's untimely and treacherous death, the audience cannot help but perceive the irony in Fortunato's very name since he did not live up to his name of good fortune. .
By far the most ironic theme is found at the end of the story. The final twist is the irony that played upon the perpetrator of the crime because he will himself be the tortured. Poe writes "For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.
• Then in the final line Poe proclaims "In pace requiescat.
•which means "may he rest in peace.
• Many critics think that these statements were not made about Fortunato, the victim, but rather about Montressor. Montressor would be haunted by the murder he committed, and is doomed to live the rest of the century in guilt and with remorse. Other parts of the story also point to the idea of this regret also. The fact that the narrator refers to the jingling of the bells on Fortunato's cap several times throughout the plot signifies that he is haunted and tormented by the memory of their sound.
Foreshadowing plays a major role in this story as well. The classic example is when Montressor and Fortunato are delving into the vault. Fortunato makes a hand gesture, which is a secret sign of the Masons, a worldwide secret and wealthy society. Montressor claims that he is a mason as well, and when Fortunato asks for proof, he shows him his trowel. The inference is that Montressor is a stonemason, not a "Mason
•from a confidential organization. The stonemasons built with stones and mortar, which will eventually become Fortunato's grave. Montressor's use of secrecy in the destruction of his opponent is significant as well, because it relates to Fortunato's status as a Mason. The organization to which Fortunato belonged was known for its secret dealings and ways, and so in turn, Montressor uses the same devious devices to bring death to Fortunato.