The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe Critical Essay

â€Å"Don’t Tread on Me† Edgar Allan Poe was a man like no other; he lived a life of full of hardships, from his parents dying at a young age and his foster parents disowning him to marrying his cousin and never settling down in one place. Poe had a unique and tumultuous life full of ups and downs which relate to his characters and the themes of his stories. In The Cask of Amontillado poe uses irony, symbolism and the theme of revenge to draw in the reader and to leave and deep emotional reaction to the story that won’t soon be forgotten. Edgar Allan Poe was born January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. His Parents were both actors, his mother Elizabeth Arnold Poe and his father David Poe Jr. Both of his parents died when he was just†¦show more content†¦Montresor see the entombing of Fortunato and the expulsion of him from his life and from the world as his †treasure† which hints back to the translation of his name Montresor meaning  "my treasure.† Poe uses dramatic irony while being underground in the catacombs Fortunato throws a bottle into the air and asks Montresor if he is a mason and Montresor says he his as he shows him a trowel. Fortunato means the free masons fraternity while Montresor means that he is a literal mason, who uses stone and mortar. The play on words and the fact that Fortunato doesn’t comprehend the hint given to him by Montresor is not only ironic but terrifying. Poe continuously uses irony throughout The Cask of Amontillado to draw in and to scare. The ubiquitous irony even though sometimes under the surface elevates this story to a threshold seldom reached by authors. Because of the irony that lies under the surface it’s a story that can be read over and over always showing glimpses of information that may have not been seen before. Poe’s use of irony is magnificent and enjoyable which is why him and his stories are still so popular 150 years later. The Cask of Amontillado is strong story of revenge which leaves its mark on the mind of the reader. The powerful emotions felt by Montresor are felt from the opening line, â€Å"The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when heShow MoreRelatedReasons Why The Cask Of Amontillado Is A Powerful Tale Of Revenge1124 Words   |  5 PagesReasons Why the Cask of Amontillado Is Brilliant!!! The Cask of Amontillado is a powerful tale of revenge. Montresor, the sinister narrator of this tale, pledges revenge upon Fortunato for an insult. 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