Two characters know some small fact or detail, and the other character does not even realize that a joke was just made, or that the other two characters were talking about something else. .
Another example of flirtatious sarcasm between Hedda and Judge Brack can be found in their conversation near the end of Act III. When the conversation is looked at without considering sarcasm it appears to be a straightfoward conversation. However, when it is realized that certain comments are not what they seem, Judge Brack and Hedda's conversation has much flirting and sexual tension. In the conversation Hedda comments to Judge Brack," I heard he was inspired there." Judge Brack replies," To a very powerful degree I"d say We males, sad to say-we"re not always so true the principle as we ought to be." Hedda then comments," Oh, I"m sure you"re an exception, Judge." Ibsen makes use of italicizing certain words to emphasize the sarcasm and make it more obvious to the audience.
The purpose of sarcasm in Hedda Gabler is to allow characters, almost always involving Hedda, to talk about a more explicit subject than the one they seem to be conversing about. This technique reflects Hedda because she has always desired intimacy, but is afraid of it at the same time. The sarcasm in Hedda Gabler is easy to spot due to its blatantness, and is usually flirtatious in style. .
In Anouilh's Antigone, the sarcasm is more cynical and bitter. The sarcasm in Antigone is different from the sarcasm in Hedda Gabler because it is less obvious. Most of the sarcasm found in Antigone comes from the chorus. .
A good example of sarcastic language in Antigone is in the chorus" second appearance, which is after the Guard reports to Creon that the body has been buried. At this time, the chorus speaks on the topic of tragedy," The spring is wound up tight. It will uncoil of itself. This is what is so convenient in tragedy. The least little turn of the wrist will do the job- This may seem like descriptive language, and one might argue that it is not even sarcasm.