Dramatic Irony play's a trivial part in drama. Dramatic Irony is: incongruity between a situation developed in a drama and the occupying words or actions that is understood by the audience, but is not by the characters in the play ( American Heritage) Horace says, "Whose man graces. I"m enamored of. Her name's Agnes, Arnolphe secretley replys: oh death, Horacethen says ': the man I hear is called La Zousse, La Source, or something queer: I didn't pay much attention to his name."-I said do you know him? Arnolphe replys :" Yes I do in a way" Horace then proceeds to say (unknowing of the true identity of Arnolphe.): he is a dolt isn't he? He is take it a jealous edition too, an ass? I see that all they said was true"(Moliere.1.4.pg 37). This excerpt was taken from The School for Wives and the passage is an example of dramatic irony because it is ironic that Horace is telling Arnolphe about this "dolt" not knowing that he is referring to him. Irony is often used in novels, the definition of Irony is quite similar; "The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning, the aspect of Irony is present in The Metamorphosis, when Gregor turns into a bug which symbolizes ineptness and incapability, this is ironic because until that time gregor was the sole provider for his family and was anything but inept and incapable. .
Often characters in literature are considered Hubris. Hubris is overwhelming pride and arrogance and ignorance towards other intervals involving the main character ( American Heritage.). "Agnes: Good heavens; it's not I whom you should blame. He made me love him; why didn't you do the same? I didn't hinder you, as I recall. Arnolphe: I tried to make you love me; I gave my all; yet all my pains and strivings were in vain"(Moliere.5.4.pg 134). This statement from Arnolphe shows his arrogance and how he believes, because he has provided for Agnes that she must repay him and become his wife, denying the fact that she loves someone else.
