Introduction
In works of literature, authors rely on several stylistic devices to convey their message. One of Edgar Allan Poe’s literary devices in “The Cask of Amontillado” is the combination of horror and humor. Poe is a witty author who uses literary elements like point of view, place, and word choice in combination with linguistic strategies to enhance the literary quality of his work. Poe’s story ignites fear and excitement in the reader from the setting, the theme, and the characters used.
The Combination of Humor and Horror
The horror in the story’s setting is depicted in the title. The “cask” is used in the story to imply the container used to hold wine. However, the word also forms the root of the term casket, which speaks of death. Humorously, Poe points to the death (casket) of Fortunato hidden in the wine cask (Poe 1). This instance shows how Poe combines the horror of death and the humor in the hidden meaning of cask to deliver the story’s central theme; death.
When it comes to horror or gothic fiction, the setting has a specific purpose: to indicate freedom or confinement, in agreement with or contradiction to the freedom or detainment experienced by the characters. Gothic fiction’s goal is to heighten our sense of awe and fear by paying close attention to the setting. The catacombs of the montresors are vividly described, portraying them as a rich heritage in a very humorous way (Poe 8). However, the description of the spider webs and the bones in the catacombs depicts a horrific scene that terrifies the reader. They are described as damp, having piles of bones intermingling with puncheons. Such a description makes the reader aware of the horrific end.
The Character of Montresor is used satirically to bring out humor while hideously implying the horror of his actions that lead to Fortunato’s death. Poe uses the term “mason” to create a satirical-horror hybrid. Fortunato asks Montresor if he is a mason, meaning a member of freemasons (Poe 7). Montresor satirically answers that he is a mason, implying a builder. Although the two friends had different meanings of the word mason, both signified Montresor’s identity and his role in Fortunato’s death. Humorously, Poe uses this instance to hint that Montresor will build Fortunato’s grave like a mason.
As they go through the catacombs, Montresor expresses his concerns over Fortunato’s cough. Although Fortunato says he will not die of it, Montresor pretends to be so caring that he offers him the “Medoc” (Poe 6), claiming that it will cure him of the cough. This instance creates comic relief but at the same time shows the horror of what is to follow; the death of Fortunato. Ironically, Montresor claims to be offering a healing drink to his friend while hideously leading him to his death. He claims that the “Medoc” would insulate them from the dampness, yet he leads Fortunato deeper into the catacombs, which became damper and thinner as they continued.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poe’s story is creatively organized with instances of humor and horror that bring out the author’s theme of death. The setting itself is described humorously, yet its elements bring out the horror of Fortunato’s untimely death. Montresor speaks satirically, pretending to be a good person who will cure his friend’s cough with the “Medoc” while in reality was leading him closer to his death, which he had constructed like a mason.
Works Cited
Poe, E. A. (2008). The cask of Amontillado. The Creative Company.