Irony and Foreshadowing In Romeo and Juliet and “Cask of Amontillado” Literary Device: Foreshadowing Foreshadowing: when the author includes words and phrases that give the reader a hint of something that will happen. Foreshadowing doesn’t reveal plot twists or spoil the suspense; rather, it suggests an upcoming outcome to the story. • Does Shakespeare use foreshadowing in the Prologue of Romeo and Juliet? • Right before he goes to Capulet’s party, Romeo says, “my mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars”(1.4.113- 114). • Is this foreshadowing? Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) ● American writer during the Romantic period ● Best known for his short stories and poems ● Inventor of the detective fiction genre ● His works are characterized by mystery and the macabre (grim or ghastly elements) Foreshadowing in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” Poe reveals that Fortunato has a weakness for wine, and this will play a major part in Montressor’s plan. Literary Device: Irony A difference between the appearance of things and reality, or when the opposite of what we expect happens. Ex: You study all week for a spelling test, then mis-spell your name on the test. Literary Device: Dramatic Irony When the reader knows what will happen but one or more characters do not. In Poe’s story, Montressor says, “Your health is precious.” The murderer only pretends to show concern for his victim’s health. The reader of the story knows this, but the victim does not. Dramatic Irony Dramatic Irony gives you that tense feeling when you know a character is headed for disaster... Or that excited feeling when something good is going to happen to a character… • But they don’t know it yet! Literary Device: Hyperbole Hyperbole: A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. Example: Poe does not tell us exactly what Fortunato has done to deserve Montressor’s wrath, but Poe deliberately exaggerates the number and severity of Fortunato’s offenses by having Montressor complain about “the thousand injuries” Fortunato has done to him. Cask of Amontillado vocabulary catacombs:underground cemetery precluded: kept someone from impunity: exemption from punishment retribution: punishment that is fully deserved recoiling: pulling back in horror endeavored: tried hard to achieve obstinate: stubborn succession: one after another Additional vocabulary •Amontillado: a light Spanish sherry •nitre: also known as saltpeter, a white mineral •“nemo me impune lacessit” = “no one attacks me with impunity.”.