Dramatic Irony

Examples Help! What is the definition of Dramatic Irony?

How do you define Dramatic Irony? What is a Dramatic Irony? The word derives from the Latin word 'ironia' meaning 'feigned ignorance'. Plural: Ironies. The definition of Dramatic Irony is as follows:

 

English Grammar & Terminology Definition of Dramatic Irony
Definition: A situation in which the audience knows something about present or future circumstances that the character does not know
Definition of Dramatic Irony

Examples of Dramatic Irony in Literature
Dramatic irony occurs in situations where the audience knows something about present or future circumstances that the character does not know. Literature with Dramatic Irony examples can be found in the most famous plays by William Shakespeare.

  • Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. When Romeo finds Juliet in a drugged sleep, he assumes her to be dead and kills himself. Upon awakening to find her dead lover beside her, Juliet then kills herself.
  • Oedipus Rex by Sophocles in which Oedipus searches to find the murderer of the former king of Thebes, only to discover that it is himself, which is known to the audience all along.
  • Othello by William Shakespeare. In which Othello blames Desdemona for cuckolding him but the audience knows that he is being deceived by Iago.
  • Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Macbeth plans the murder of Duncan whilst feigning loyalty. Duncan does not know of Macbeth’s plans but the audience does.
  • The Tempest by William Shakespeare - Miranda does not know that Gonzalo is on the island but her father Prospero, and the audience, does.

Click the following links for more examples and information:

Irony
Verbal Irony
Situational Irony

Examples Help! Use of Dramatic Irony in Literature
Examples of Dramatic Irony can be found in many examples plays by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare uses this device to draw the audience into the plot of the play.

 

Examples Help - Figures of Speech - Dramatic Irony

In Figurative Language we use words in such a way that they differ somewhat from ordinary every-day speech and convey meanings in a more vivid and impressive manner. Figures, like Dramatic Irony make speech more effective, they beautify and emphasize it in Rhetoric which is the art of speaking and writing effectively. Figures of speech such as Dramatic Irony use word association to convey emotion and mood.

Examples Help! Using Dramatic Irony

Figures of speech such as Dramatic Irony adds adornment, beautifies, colors, elegant variation, embellishment, embroidery, emphasis, exaggeration, exclamation, flourish, floweriness, irony, lushness and luxuriance to the English language. This page providing facts and info about Figures of Speech will help with the understanding of this subject.

  • Free educational resource for examples of Dramatic Irony
  • Dramatic Irony examples by Shakespeare
  • Word association to convey emotion and mood.
  • Definition, sample and example
  • Figure of Speech in English Grammar
  • Definitions, info, samples and examples of different English Figurative Language
  • Dramatic Irony - figure, image, trope
  • Word association to convey emotion and mood.
  • Definition, info, sample and example
  • Famous plays by Shakespeare
  • Dramatic Irony
  • Examples Help!

Dramatic Irony

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