Answer to Question #166363 in English for Maria

Question

In a well-supported paragraph, explain how Poe uses verbal irony in "The Cask of

Amontillado” to emphasize the evil intentions of Montresor. Be sure to:

• Create a sentence that introduces your topic.

• Cite textual examples of verbal irony.

• Include commentary sentences that explain the importance or the effect of

the irony.

• Use appropriate parallel structure of multiple ideas within a sentence.

Answer 1

In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Poe heavily utilizes verbal irony to portray Montresor’s evil intentions over Fortunato. An example of verbal irony in the short story occurs when Fortunato expresses that he will not die of a cough, to which Montresor responds with “True.” Montresor seemingly agrees with the statement but it’s because he is about to execute his plan of entombing his friend alive. Verbal irony also takes place when Fortunato offers a toast and Montresor replies with, “And I to your long life.” Montresor’s response is deliberately deceiving because he is about to cut Fortunato’s life short. Montresor’s depiction of his family’s coat of arms where a human foot crushes a snake whose fangs are embedded in the heel and motto – no one attacks me with impunity, depicts verbal irony. His explanation foreshadows Fortunato’s death, with Montresor being the human and Fortunato the serpent. When confronted by Fortunato whether he belongs to the order of masons, Montresor claims yes and displays a trowel to prove he is a stonemason. This is verbal irony because Montresor his trowel to bury Fortunato with stone.