Cask of Amontillado Irony Citations

"I forget your arms." "A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel." "And the motto?" "Nemo me impune lacessit." "Good!" he said.

Citation for dramatic irony -- Fortunato being too inebriated says that the motto, which Montresor lives by and which leads to Fortunato's death, is good.

"This cough will not kill me. I will not die of a cough."

Citation for dramatic irony and foreshadowing -- Fortunato states this, not knowing that he will die, but the reader can predict.

"My heart grew sick; it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so. I hastened to make an end of my labour. I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it up. Against the new masonry I re-erected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them. In pace requiescat!"

Citation for situational OR verbal irony -- Interpreted as a sign of remorse, it is ironic that the revenge Montresor sought to inflict and make Fortunato feel has not allowed him, Montresor, to rest in peace as he deals with guilt. Interpreted as a morbid jab, it is ironic that Montresor says that his heart grew sick [with remorse], and then follows up to explain "just kidding!"

"A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong."

Citation for situational irony -- Fortunato dies without feeling the same anger and insult that Montresor said was necessary in revenge, which he planned so carefully.

"I drink to those who lie buried around us," he said. And I replied, "I drink to your long life."

Citation for verbal and dramatic irony -- The narrator says this, knowing he does not actually mean to wish Fortunato longevity. It is dramatic because the reader can speculate his death knowing Montresor's Intentions.

"'True --true,' I replied; 'and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily.' "

Citation for verbal irony -- Montresor says true to show agreement that Fortunato would be be fine despite a cough, but of course, when he says true, the good intention of agreement is fake.

"Once more, I beg you to return. No? Then I must leave you."

Citation for verbal irony -- This is ironic because now Fortunato is chained and locked to the granite wall. He cannot leave and Montresor will not let him.

"I said to him--'My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met."

Citiation for Veral Irony -- Fortunato is actually unlucky that he met Montresor at Carnival, and unlucky to follow him into the catacombs. Montresor knows this.

" 'He is an ignoramus,' interrupted my friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward, while I followed immediately at his heels. In niche, and finding an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered."

Example of dramatic and situational irony -- Knowing Montresor's intentions to use this space as Fortunato's "casket," it is ironic that Fortunato would walk into this niche in search of a cask of wine. It is situational irony in that Fortunato, who continually calls Lucesi an ignoramus, become bewildered on his search for wine.

"Once more let me implore you to return. No? Then I must positively leave you."

Example of verbal irony -- Montresor chains up Fortunato

"You are a man to be missed."

Example of verbal irony -- Montresor says this to Fortunato.

"Come, we will go back. Your health is precious. You are rich, respected, and happy--as I once was. Unlike me, you are a man to be missed. You will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, Luchresi can--"

Verbal Irony -- Montresor is acting like he is a very caring person. In truth, he does not care about Fortunato and he WILL be responsible for Fortunato's death.