"The Cask of Amontillado
•is one of Edgar Allan Poe's most masterful tales of horror. Poe writes about how past wounds and human pride lead Montressor to acts of violence
•even pre-meditated murder. Poe relates to the audience how Montressor's social status was changed by Fortunato, and the vile revenge the perpetrator is planning for the injuries received. This essay will explain how Poe utilizes the theme of pride and other literary techniques, such as foreshadowing and irony, to create a captivating yet alarmingly horrific mystery.
The story begins close to dusk, one evening during the carnival season in some European city. We are introduced to the story from Montressor's point of view. Poe invites us into the inner workings of an evil mind bent on revenge. We immediately sense that Montressor exaggerates his grievances, since he refers to the "thousand injuries
•that Fortunato has dealt him. In addition, Montressor uses verbal irony repeatedly to foreshadow his objective to the audience. For example, Montressor appears to be overly concerned for Fortunato's health, when in truth his intentions are anything but what they seem to be. He urges Fortunato to turn back since Fortunato's health is precious and he does not want his "friend
•to become ill. Montressor does not want the nitre lining the vaults, to be a catalyst to increase and worsen Fortunato's health. Other ironies that play on his wellbeing include Montressor's toast to Fortunato's long life, which is almost comical, since he is planning a pre-mature burial.
Another ironic element in the story is the method of revenge used by Montressor. Montressor deceives his prey into literally walking into his own grave. Fortunato pursues the cask, which at the end, becomes his own casket. Fortunato does not have the faintest inclination that he will meet death in the vaults. He is the type of character, who believes he will die a noble and courageous death from a victorious battle.