We see a lot of verbal irony throughout the story which shows Montresor's motivations and also adds a touch of dark humor to this gothic tale. Fortunato replies “the cough is nothing; it won't kill me. I won't die of coughing." (Poe 228). Montresor responds by agreeing with him, the audience and Montresor both know the fate that awaits Fortunato. These ironic statements that Montresor makes in the story show readers his dark motives even if Fortunato is unaware of them. The character's name is also very ironic in the story. The name Fortunato is similar to lucky, which would lead us to believe that he has had good luck or lived a good life. In this case the opposite is true and Fortunato is subjected to death in a very unfortunate manner