Cask is a brief tale, containing only two characters. It can be argued that Luchresi plays a role in the outcome in the story, but he never physically appears, and is solely used by Montresor to lure Fortunato into his catacombs. When Montresor first greets Fortunato at the carnival, he finds him dressed up as a fool, and he is immensely pleased to greet his enemy in this state. Poe’s choice of Fortunato’s attire is ironic because by the end of the story, Fortunato is clearly made a fool of by his adversary. To add insult to injury, he is forever clothed in a tight-fitting parti-stiped dress, and if he ever shall be discovered, those that find him will encounter a skeleton dressed as a clown and will assuredly be a subject of ridicule.