Irony in dramatic literature can be described as the difference between what the audience knows and what the characters know to be true. One example of irony would be in Oedipus Rex. In Scene 1 on page 54, Oedipus is talking about the murder of Laios. Starting on line 222, Oedipus is telling his people what they should do if they meet up with the killer. He says, "Hear what I propose to do: I solemnly forbid the people of this country, where power and throne are mine, ever to receive that man. Or speak to him, no matter who he is or let him join in sacrifice, lustration or prayer." This example of irony continues as Oedipus continues to say, "I decree that he be driven from every house, Being as he is corruption itself to us: the Delphic Voice of Zeus has pronounced this revelation. Thus I associate myself with the oracle And take the side of the murdered king." Irony continues when Oedipus, unaware that he is talking about himself, says on line 232, "As for the criminal, I pray to God - whether it be a lurking thief, or one of a number - I pray that a man's life be consumed in evil and wretchedness. The most ironic, at line 235, Oedipus states, "And as for me, this curse applies no less If it should turn out that the culprit is my guest here, sharing my hearth you have heard the penalty.".
Another example of irony occurs again earlier in Oedipus Rex. On lines 104 and 105, Creon says, "By exile or death, blood for blood. It was murder that brought the plague - wind on the city." This is an example of irony because the plague is actually referring to the turmoil that is going on in the city. What is being suggested is that the plague will continue to occur because of the evil that is happening in the city. Until this murder is solved and the evil is gone, the plague will be present.
One last example of irony occurs in the play of Agamemnon. In Antistrophe 1, on page 30, starting around lines 376 - 384, the chorus is talking about Agamemnon.
There are numerous types of irony; the three most common are verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational or structural irony. ... The next type of irony is dramatic irony. ... This creates for dramatic irony and keeps the audiences attention. ... All different types of irony are imperative to today's literature. ... Without irony many works of literature would be dull and boring. ...
Dramatic structure is seen in all of literature. ... There are three types of irony, verbal, dramatic, and cosmic. ... Dramatic irony is when the characters do not know facts but the audience knows them. ... One of the first examples of dramatic structure is dramatic irony. ... Dramatic structure is seen in all of literature. ...
In these Short stories we have similarities of both dramatic and situational irony. Both stories have examples of dramatic irony, which is when the reader knows something that a character doesn't know. ... The irony in this quote is clearly dramatic, because the policemen think that they are just eating a piece of meat that is definitely not the murder weapon, but in fact they are eating the murder weapon. ... Irony is the sweet subject of a lot of todays and yesterdays literature. ... In "Lamb to the Slaughter-, there is an model of another form of dramatic irony when she buys a so...
Irony for Thought What is irony? The Bedford Introduction to Literature defines irony as "a literary device that uses contradictory statements or situations to reveal a reality different that what appears to be true." ... The first type of irony and probably most widely used is situational irony. ... A second type of irony used quite a bit and also experienced numerous times throughout our everyday life, is what is known as verbal irony. ... Another type of irony mostly found in plays or movies is dramatic irony. ...
Irony for Thought What is irony? The Bedford Introduction to Literature defines irony as "a literary device that uses contradictory statements or situations to reveal a reality different that what appears to be true." ... The first type of irony and probably most widely used is situational irony. ... A second type of irony used quite a bit and also experienced numerous times throughout our everyday life, is what is known as verbal irony. ... Another type of irony mostly found in plays or movies is dramatic irony. ...
Thespis=6thc. first to step from chorus, and talk with it Agon, dramatic confrontation. ... parados =physical entrance of chorus, enters speaking 1st ex of physical theater affecting structure of literature. episodes= separated by stasima and forward action. ... Exodos=exit, serves to get actors chorus off the stage, no song, dramatic irony, when we know something characters don't Formal structure of comedy = prologue=intro of happy idea-put into effect. parados=same Agon=debate of happy idea. ...
Poe has played a major impact in literature and television as we know it today by being the founder of the detective fiction genre, his unique use of irony and symbolism, implementing satire and bestowing hoaxes, which led to literature and the lifestyle we know today. ... Another reason Edgar Allan Poe is the master mind behind literature as we know it today is because of his incredible use of irony and symbolism. In order to create the horror and tension in his stories and poems Poe uses dramatic and verbal irony. For example in "The Cask of Amontillado" the dramatic irony lies w...
In this short story Poe used literary devices such as point of view, irony, and symbolism to give it a more dramatic effect and add to the madness the narrator portrays. ... Robinson feels that by using this irony the narrator creates a feeling of hysteria, and the turmoil resulting from this hysteria is what places "The Tell-Tale Heart" in the list of the greatest horror stories of all time (94). ... Another main point of the story that shows much irony which Gargano points out, is that the narrator himself instigates his own demise. ... Without point of view, irony, and symbolism being...
In Oedipus the King, Sophocles demonstrates how Oedipus is one of the most tragic characters in all of literature while using countless examples of irony. Throughout the entirety of Sophocles" masterpiece, verbal, dramatic and situational irony occurs. ... Sophocles evolves one of the most tragic characters in all of mythological literature using a combination of intelligence and creativity. ... Sophocles uses these examples and many more to delineate Oedipus as one of the, if not the, most tragic character in all of literature. ... Sophocles wrote an excellent story proving that he is both ...
