How The Cask of Amontillado Uses Symbolism and Irony

Often, writers use symbolism to describe an object with more clarity to the reader. It provides additional layers of meaning to a text. Symbolism is not only important in literature but is also important in everyday life. For instance, symbolism is found in colors, objects, and on flowers. For example a rose can represent love and romance. Symbolism is used in literature, movies, and even on street signs. Such as the colors in the street light: red means stop, yellow means slow down, and the green means to proceed. Another technique used in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†is irony. Irony, (in literature), is when the writer uses words to emit a meaning that is usually the opposite of its literal meaning. It is used to catch the reader’s†¦show more content†¦Nothing was going to stop Montresor from giving an end to Fortunato. Poe named the victim Fortunato which means fortunate in Italy. Lorcher declares, â€Å"it is an Ironic name for him who will be walled up in the catacombs.† Fortunato is viewed as a complete fool. Another characteristic that Montresor possesses is pride. In the article entitled â€Å"‘The Cask of Amontillado’- Irony and Symbolism† the author expresses, â€Å"Fortunato, a proud man that boast about his connoisseurship of wines and who finally walks to his own death.† When Lopez6 Montresor suggested calling Luchresi, Fortunato replied with â€Å"Luchresi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry.†(Poe 21) Everything in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is written intentionally. Even Montresor’s attire has a symbolic representation. During the carnival, Montresor wore a motley. â€Å"He had on a tight fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.†(Poe 20) According to Trent Lorcher, he states â€Å"Fortunato is dressed as a fool, a symbolic representation of what he is.† He is portrayed as an ignoramus and â€Å"is masquerading as a fool...† as said by the Weebly Editors. Furthermore, The Montresor family motto, â€Å"Nemo me impune lacessit (Poe22),† (meaning nobody harms me without punishment), represents Montresor and Fortunato. In the emblem there is a heel crushing a snake’s head while the snake’s fangs submerge the heel. The snake biting the heel represents Fortunato insulting Montresor’sShow MoreRelatedThe Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe836 Words   |  3 Pages Symbolism is the use of objects to represent ideas or qualities in the story. In the story many things are used as symbols such as the actual cask of amontillado, the trowel, the jester costume and the setting in which there is two in the story. Another literary technique used significantly in the story is irony. Irony is the expression of ones meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite. In the short story â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† Montresor a very troubled manRead MoreGothic Literature : The Dark Side Of Romanticism1518 Words   |  7 Pagesliterature. Some of their work include, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† written by Edgar Allan Poe and â€Å"The Birthmark† by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Cask of Amontillado tells how the narrator Montresor seeks revenge on his acquaintance, Fortunato. Montresor to desperate measures and did not catch. However, in â€Å"The Birthmark†, Aylmer, a scientist has become obsessed with convincing his wife, Georgianna, to remove her birthmark that is on her left cheek. Both stories show how the main character feels that his wayRead MoreThe Theme of Revenge in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† Essay1629 Words   |  7 PagesEdgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is a frightening and entertaining short story about the severe consequences that result from persistent m ockery and an unforgiving heart. Poe’s excellent use of Gothicism within the story sets the perfect tone for a dark and sinister plot of murder to unfold. â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† simply overflows with various themes and other literary elements that result from Poe’s Gothic style of writing. Of these various themes, one that tends to dominant the storyRead MoreThe Casket Of Amontillado . Edgar Allan Poe’S â€Å"The Cask1680 Words   |  7 PagesThe Casket of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is a short story illustrating how pride leads to the downfall of two men. At the story’s heart is the tale of Montresor, the protagonist, getting revenge on a former friend, Fortunato. Poe’s characterization of Montresor shows a sinister, proud man, obsessed not only with his revenge but also not getting punished himself. â€Å"It must be a perfect revenge, one in which Fortunato will know fully what is happening to him and in whichRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe707 Words   |  3 Pagesstory of The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe writes in first person point of view from the perspective of Montresor who seeks revenge against Fortunato. Montresor began to develop the perfect plan for revenge. During the carnival season, Montresor meets with Fortunato and decides to implement his plan carefully through irony. Poe s story describes the murderer s mind which has lived as a memory of Fortunato s death for fifty years. Poe uses different types of irony and symbolism in the conversationsRead MoreRole of Realism in Edagar Allan Poe ´s The Tell Tale Heart and The Cask of Amortillado1014 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† written by Edgar Allan Poe are dark short stories relevant to murder, revenge, and mystery. Poe writes both stories in a Gothic style in order to deal with ideas of realism. One may ask were the murders and punishments justifiable in either short story? One may also ask did Poe accurately depict realism in each story? Realism, defined as a technique in literature that accurately represents everyday life, is questioned in Poe’s works: â€Å"The Tell Tale Heart† and â€Å"The Cask ofRead MoreSymbolism and Irony in The Cask of Amontillado1291 Words   |  6 PagesSymbolism is something that represents more than what it really is. It is often by authors in their writing to give it more emphasis. For example: In life there will always be peaks and valleys meaning in life there will be ups and downs but we should enjoy the peaks and fight through the valleys. Objects can also be a form of symbolism such as The Bible, it represents more than just a book. It represents Life, Church, Religion, and the life of Jesus Christ and what he stood for. Irony is likeRead MoreThe Cask of Amontillado663 Words   |  3 PagesThe irony is detected by the use of his exaggeration. The symbolism by the objects it uses and how they are used. â€Å"’The cask of Amontillado’ is a creepy short story written by Edgar Allan Poe. The story is rife with examples of symbolism and irony. â€Å" â€Å"Poe tells a tale of revenge and humiliation, the way the story symbolizes Poe’s work that has a mind-boggling ending. â€Å" The story is full of examples of irony and symbolism to try to answer questions thrown at the reader in the short story. The narratorRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edg ar Allan Poe1575 Words   |  7 Pagesaway with it? Montresor is the murderous narrator who has committed the perfect murder in just such a tale, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado.† Montresor plots and kills an unwary friend/foe during carnival time for motives that are unclear. The author of this tale, Edgar Allan Poe, influenced by his somewhat tragic life and one of the most influential Gothic writers, uses symbolism and irony to show the multitude of complicated motives of the narrator in his famous horror story. Upon examining Edgar AllanRead MoreSymbolism and Irony in Cask of Amontillado866 Words   |  3 Pages In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†, the author, Edgar Allen Poe, uses symbolism and irony to connect to the readers. Symbolism is an object or word that has two meanings. Poe uses this device when he writes, â€Å"Fortunado is dressed as a fool†(20). It is symbolic representation of what Fortunado is. Irony is a twist in a situation that creates tension between the two conflicts. Poe uses irony throughout his story as a way of enticing readers. The narrator, Montresor, tells about how he got revenge 50