What is irony in 'The Cask of Amontillado'?

Answer 1

Fortunato is ironic himself, because he believes himself to be knowledgeable about wine, yet he is dressed in a Fool's costume for the festival and ultimately Montresor uses Fortunato's pride and vanity of such knowledge to fool him into going into the cellar to his death.

Fortunato's name itself is a bit of irony, since it means 'fortunate one' in Italian, however once he is chained to the cellar wall, he meets a most unfortunate end.

Fortunato is a member of the sect, Freemasons. In the catacombs Montresor says that he, too is a "mason." Fortunato asks Montresor for the secret sign known by the Freemasons and Montresor produces a trowel. These are ironic because Montresor will do the work of a "mason" using the trowel to entomb Fortunato behind a brick wall.

While in the catacombs Fortunato coughs due to the dankness of the passageway. Montresor suggests the they leave for the sake of Fortunato's health. Fortunato refuse saying he will not die of a cough. Montresor agrees. The irony is that Montressor knows exactly what will kill Fortunato and how soon it will be.

Another touch of irony is that in the catacombs, Fortunato toasts the many people buried in the catacombs, little knowing that he is shortly to be one of them.

In return to Fortunato's toast to those buried in the catacombs, Montresor drinks to Fortunato's long life, which has but a few hours left.

Answer 2

Irony in "The Cask of Amontillado" can be seen in Montresor's friendly and accommodating demeanor towards Fortunato, despite his true intention to seek revenge. Another example is when Montresor toasts to Fortunato's long life, knowing that he is leading him to his death. This creates a sense of dramatic irony for the reader, as they are aware of Montresor's true motives while Fortunato remains oblivious.