Irony is used in writing to add new interest to a seemingly ordinary subject. Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game and The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe use irony throughout their stories, creating unique works. To recognize Irony, you must first understand it, then you can see how it is used in these two works. Irony is a word with many meanings aside from what we often think of as irony. Irony is defined as the contrast between what is said and what is meant or what happens and what we feel should happen.
There are three main types of irony. Verbal irony is when what is said is the opposite of what is meant, as in sarcasm. Situational irony is when an event is the opposite of what would ordinarily occur. Dramatic irony is when the reader or audience knows something that the characters do not know. There are many examples of all three types of irony in The Most Dangerous Game and The Cask of Amontillado. The Most Dangerous Game and The Cask of Amontillado use irony as major parts of their plots.
The entire premise of The Most Dangerous Game is situational irony. Usually hunters would hunt animals, but in this story the Antagonist, General Zaroff, hunts men a quarry that is far from ordinary. Dramatic irony occurs throughout the Cask of Amontillado, and adds a whole new dimension to the story’s plot. The reader knows that Montresseur, the main character, intends to murder Fortunato, the antagonist, while Fortunato is oblivious to the impending danger.
This situation also creates a sort of verbal irony. Some of Montresseur’s statements seem innocent, casual conversation, but once his vengeful intent is considered, they take on a whole new meaning. For example, wen Montresseur tells Fortunato his family motto: “No One Injuries Me Without Punishment” (p. ) it seems an friendly comment, but considering that he is about to murder his companion for revenge, it becomes a warning of impending danger.
These uses of irony demonstrate the many ways in which irony can be used. Irony can be used in varying extents. The Most Dangerous Game and The Cask of Amontillado use irony throughout their stories, but many smaller examples can be found if one looks closer, such as some of Montresseur’s comments. The varying uses of iron ensure that it can be found in many different types of writing and even in conversation, movies and plays. Irony is not merely a term learned in English class but a major part of our language.
