In the short story "The Cask of Amontillado", Edgar Allan Poe takes the reader into the demented mind of a killer. The manipulative, sinister behaviors of human nature are illustrated through the character Montresor the narrator, a callous man diseased by the desire to avenge the insults of his adversary, Fortunato. This tale is full of both dramatic and verbal irony from Montresor's actions, words and behavior to the setting in which the story takes place.
The first of many ironies is the naming of the character Fortunato, a name so closely resembling the word fortunate, this is an interesting name for a man that is anything but fortunate. Although Fortunato is a man of good wealth and reputation, it is unfortunate that he will inevitably pay, for unknowingly insulting Montresor, with his life.
When the characters first meet at the carnival, Montresor appears to be delighted to meet Fortunato. While Fortunato believes they are greeting each other as friends, Montresor is smiling with vengeance. This knowledge by the narrator, displayed to the reader but not to Fortunato is the fundamental approach to Poe's use of dramatic irony. The reader sees the truth behind the smile, whereas Fortunato does not: "I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation" (Bedford, 463). With the initial meeting in place, Montresor need only draw Fortunato to his demise.
Montresor uses Fortunato's love of fine wines as the bait to reel his victim in. Montresor reveals his recently purchased cask of Amontillado; which they both know is impossible to receive during the festivities. Therefore, drunken Fortunato finds his declaration to be suspicious. Montresor, prepared for his skepticism, plays on Fortunato's arrogance: "As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn it is he. He will tell me --" (Bedford, 464).
