dramatic irony in essays

15 Dramatic Irony Examples

Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil)

Dalia Yashinsky is a freelance academic writer. She graduated with her Bachelor's (with Honors) from Queen's University in Kingston Ontario in 2015. She then got her Master's Degree in philosophy, also from Queen's University, in 2017.

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Chris Drew (PhD)

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Dramatic irony is a literary device where the audience is aware of information or events taking place in a TV show (or movie or book) while the characters themselves are oblivious.

Dramatic irony is often comedic, and results in characters mocking each other without realizing that they are in fact mocking themselves in the exact same situation.

Consider the following as a simple example of dramatic irony: a man is mocking his friend for stepping into a puddle of mud while he also happens to be in a puddle of mud himself, though he is unaware of this.

Obivously, it’s irrational to make fun of someone for something that you are doing yourself, especially at that same exact moment! So, the butt of the joke becomes the person who started the joke in the first place.

Dramatic Irony Examples

The following are some examples of dramatic irony.

• A popular teenager bullies a girl at school for failing a test, but she herself hasn’t realized that she also failed.
• A fireman is putting out a fire set to a tree while his own uniform has been set alight.
• An old woman feels bad for the elderly people at an old age home while her children are filling out a form for her own admission in the same old-age home.
• A girl in a horror movie runs to hide in the same closet the bad guy is hiding in.
• A lunch lady serves children in the detention room spoiled food, not knowing her own daughter is in detention same day.
• A father is warning his children to be aware of pickpockets while his own wallet is being pulled out of his pocket from a pickpocketer behind his back.
• A man leans against a dangerous edge and explains how dangerous it is at the edge for children, without realizing he is about to slip at any moment.
• A woman badmouths her boss to a coworker over the phone, not knowing she is on speaker and her boss can hear everything.
• A small child is about to confess his love for a girl in his class not knowing she is about to move across the country with her parents the next day.
• A teenager scratches a car at a dealership to be rebellious, unaware of the fact that his own parents just put down an offer on the same car.

5 Dramatic Irony Examples in Film and Literature

1. little rascals.

Scenario: The children can’t find a fire station despite the fact it’s visible in the scene behind them.

In the 1994 film The Little Rascals , the children cause a fire in their clubhouse. Two of the boys run to a public phone to call the fire brigade.

One boy picks up the phone then turns to his friend: “Quick! What’s the number for 9-1-1?”

His friend shrugs, so the boys leave the phone and run back to their clubhouse to put the fire out themselves. As the boys run off the screen, the camera pans across the street from the phone booth, displaying a fire station.

This is an example of dramatic irony because we know more than the boys. The fact that they have the knowledge at their fingertips (The number for 9-1-1 is 9-1-1!) and there’s a fire station right there is ironic: they know more than they realize. The solution is right there, but they don’t reach for it, and to the audience, this comes across as hilarious.

2. Toy Story

Scenario: Buzz Lightyear thinks he’s a superhero. We, the audience, know otherwise, which leads to some hilarious and suspenseful scenarios.

The plot of Toy Story is itself based in dramatic irony: the toys are alive, but none of the humans know this. We, the audience, know this, and the toys themselves are aware too. 

The movie starts with Buzz Lightyear, a new toy and member of Andy’s toy collection. Through the course of the movie, Buzz feels as if he is a real space ranger, and not just a toy.

Buzz believes he can fly, shoot lasers, and commit fully to his duties as a space ranger.

The audience, as well as the characters in the movie are well aware of the fact that Buzz is indeed just a toy, (without the special powers that his namesake suggests). Here is a clear case of dramatic irony that takes place in the Toy Story franchise films.

3. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Scenario: Snow White has no idea that the old woman is actually the witch who wants to place a spell of neverending sleep on her, and the apple is poisoned. The audience, on the other hand, are aware all along.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a Brother’s Grimm fairy tale, and another story heavily based in dramatic irony. 

When Snow White finds shelter with the seven dwarves, she allows an old woman into the home even when she was warned by the dwarves not to let anyone inside.

Snow White continues to buy an apple from the strange old woman in exchange for a strand of her hair.

Dramatic irony takes place in this scene since Snow White has no idea that the old woman is actually the witch who wants to place a spell of neverending sleep on her, and the apple is poisoned.

The audience is well aware of this throughout, though Snow White herself is not. This works to showcase the concept of dramatic irony in a film or story, and illustrates the ‘dramatic’ effect it has in keeping the audience engrossed in the plot of the story.

4. Beauty and the Beast

Summary: Belle doesn’t know the Beast is actually a handsome prince while we (as the audience) do. Throughout, the movie plays on her lack of knowledge to create suspense.

The classic Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast uses dramatic irony to add suspense and compel the audience to the story until its very end.

Everyone has seen Beauty and the Beast, (at least I think?) While admittedly a demented plot,  Belle is held captive by the “Beast”, who, in actuality, is a prince that’s been placed under a spell until he proves his moral worthiness and love for another person. At which point, and in true Disney fashion: the spell will be broken.

It’s a Disney movie; but it’s also an excellent representation of dramatic irony: Belle believes he is a Beast in every sense of the term.

We know, along with the Beast himself, that he is in fact an attractive prince put under a spell.

Since we know this, and we know that Belle does not know, we are that much more invested in the plot and want to see what ends up happening to the characters; and whether they themselves will come to learn the truth of the situation they are in.

5. Breaking Bad

Scenario: Walter is the culprit that his DEA brother-in-law is looking for all along. Walt knows, the audience knows, but his brother-in-law doesn’t.

Perhaps one of the most excessively hyped series to exist in television, the crime drama Breaking Bad storyline is a clearcut example of dramatic irony.

If you haven’t seen Breaking Bad (where have you been for the previous decade?) The show centres around a high school chemistry teacher named Walter White.

Walter is diagnosed with cancer and forms a partnership with a former student of his, Jesse Pinkman. The pair then go onto sell white powders together, unbeknownst to Walter’s wife and kids.

The series is dramatic irony from top to bottom. We know Walter has appalling secrets he’s keeping from his family which would (and should, all things considered) drastically change their relationship and family dynamics, were they to be aware of the real facts of his life.  

Another example of dramatic irony occurs with Walter’s own brother-in-law, who happens to be a the DEA agent put in charge of finding the prolific powder producer, Heisenberg”, aka Walter White. Little does he know, the answer is right under his nose, and his own brother in law is person he’s out for.

In a key scene in the show, Walter’s brother-in-law and DEA agent, Hank, comes across a set of “W.W.” initials in Heisenberg’s notebook.

Hank turns to his brother-in-law Walter and, as a joke says the “WW” must stand for “Walter White”. Walter jokes back at him saying “You got me!”

Other Types of Irony

Situational irony.

Situational Irony describes situations where the opposite of what is expected ends up happening.  

An example of situational irony could be driving your sick cat to see the vet while accidentally running over a squirrel while driving.

Verbal Irony

Verbal irony is a figure of speech where what the person is literally saying contrasts with what they mean, or what they mean figuratively.

An example of verbal irony could be asking someone how their day is going when they’ve just spilled coffee all over themselves, and they respond saying, “my day couldn’t be going any better!”

For more, see my 12 types of irony article.

Irony is a literary technique that adds drama and suspense to literature and media, and is also something we witness from time to time in our own lives. Dramatic irony increases the momentum of stories, gets audiences invested in the characters and introduces an element of suspense that is difficult to reproduce through other literary techniques.

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Mastering Dramatic Irony: A Guide for Writers and Speakers

• The Speaker Lab
• August 21, 2024

Table of Contents

Imagine sitting in a theater, watching a play unfold before your eyes. The characters on stage move through their scenes, unaware of a crucial piece of information that you, the audience, already know. This knowledge creates delicious tension, a sense of anticipation as you wait for the moment when everything will come crashing down. In this scenario, dramatic irony is at play.

Dramatic irony is a powerful literary device that has captivated audiences for centuries. It’s a technique that creates a gap between what the characters understand and what the audience know, leading to moments of intense emotion, humor, or tragedy. But how exactly does it work, and why is it so effective?

In this article, we’ll explore the many facets of dramatic irony. Together, we’ll uncover its origins, examine its impact on storytelling, and discover how writers and filmmakers use this technique to craft unforgettable moments in literature, theater, and cinema.

The Essence of Dramatic Irony

At its core, dramatic irony is all about information asymmetry. It occurs when the audience possesses knowledge that the characters in the story lack. This creates a fascinating dynamic where viewers or readers can anticipate events, understand the true significance of actions, or recognize the hidden meanings behind dialogue that the characters themselves miss. That’s why dramatic irony is so powerful—it engages the audience on a deeper level, making them feel like active participants in the story rather than passive observers.

The Three Stages of Dramatic Irony

To truly understand how dramatic irony works, it’s helpful to break it down into three distinct stages.

• Preparation: This is where the audience gains the crucial information that the characters don’t have.
• Suspense: As the story unfolds, tension builds because the audience knows what’s coming, but the characters remain oblivious.
• Resolution: Finally, the characters learn the truth, leading to a climactic moment of realization.

These stages create a rollercoaster of emotions for the audience, keeping them engaged and invested in the story’s outcome.

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Other Types of Irony

While various types of irony exist, it’s easy to get them confused. In addition to dramatic irony, there’s also:

• Situational Irony: Situational irony thrives on the contrast between expectation and reality. In a narrative, the writer will set a reader’s expectations, then defy them with an unexpected outcome. The discrepancy between what was expected and what occurs creates a sense of surprise, amusement, or even disbelief.
• Verbal Irony: Ever groaned “Wonderful weather” during a downpour? If so, you’ve utilized verbal irony . In other words, you’ve said one thing while implying the opposite. Verbal irony is a playground for sarcasm and wit.

Think of these ironies as tools in a storyteller’s toolkit. Situational irony surprises us with outcomes. Verbal irony uses words to express a different meaning. Dramatic irony keeps us on the edge of our seats by providing suspense. Once you understand the differences between these types of irony, you can better execute each in your writing .

The Power of Dramatic Irony in Storytelling

Dramatic irony is more than just a clever trick. It’s a fundamental tool that storytellers use to create depth, tension, and emotional resonance in their work. As such, it has the power to enhance storytelling in a variety of ways.

Creating Suspense

One of the most powerful effects of dramatic irony is its ability to generate suspense. When we know something the characters don’t, we’re on the edge of our seats, waiting for the moment when they’ll finally discover the truth. This anticipation can be almost unbearable, keeping us glued to the page or screen. If you’ve ever watched a horror movie, you’ve likely seen this play out. When the characters stumble upon a haunted house, the audience is aware of the danger lurking. The characters, however, remain clueless.

Enhancing Emotional Impact

Dramatic irony can also intensify the emotional impact of a scene. When we watch a character make a decision based on incomplete information, knowing the consequences they’re unaware of, it can evoke strong feelings of sympathy, frustration, or even horror. For instance, take Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet . When Romeo, believing Juliet is dead, drinks poison, the audience experiences alarm and horror because they know Juliet is actually alive.

Adding Depth to Characters

By showing us the gap between a character’s understanding and reality, dramatic irony can reveal deeper truths about their personality, motivations, and flaws. It allows us to see characters in a more complex light, understanding them in ways they may not even understand themselves.

Generating Humor

While dramatic irony can create tension and tragedy, it’s also a powerful tool for comedy. Misunderstandings and mistaken identities based on the audience’s superior knowledge can lead to hilarious situations and dialogue. It is common to see this technique utilized in a variety of movies and TV shows .

Examples of Dramatic Irony in Literature and Film

To truly appreciate the power of dramatic irony, let’s look at some famous examples from literature and film.

Oedipus Rex

Perhaps the most famous example of dramatic irony comes from Sophocles’ ancient Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex . Throughout the play, Oedipus seeks to uncover the truth about his parents and the curse on Thebes. The original audience, knowing the prophecy that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother, watches in horror as Oedipus discovers he has unwittingly fulfilled his fate and caused Thebes to suffer.

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare was a master of dramatic irony, and, as mentioned above, Romeo and Juliet provides a heart-wrenching example. In the final scene, Romeo finds Juliet apparently dead (though we know she’s only sleeping) and takes his own life. Moments later, Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead and kills herself. The tragedy is heightened by our knowledge that their deaths were entirely preventable.

The Truman Show

In this modern classic, the audience knows that Truman Burbank’s entire life is a television show, but Truman himself is oblivious to this fact. This creates constant tension and poignancy as we watch Truman struggle to understand the strange occurrences in his life.

In each of these narrative, dramatic irony creates a different effective on the audience. For instance, when considering Oedipus Rex , it is normal for an audience to experience horror and pity for Oedipus. Romeo and Juliet’s actions, on the other hand, evoke grief and frustration in an audience as they helplessly watch the two lovers die so needlessly. Finally, in  The Truman Show , a sense of tension is created and sustained. No matter what the effective on the audience, the takeaway is clear: dramatic irony is a powerful tool that writers can use to engage their audience effectively.

How to Use Dramatic Irony in Your Own Writing

If you’re a writer looking to incorporate dramatic irony into your work, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Plan ahead: Carefully set up your narrative. Make sure you’ve laid the groundwork for the audience to have the necessary information.
• Create contrast: The power of dramatic irony lies in the gap between what the characters know and what the audience knows. Make this contrast clear and significant.
• Build tension: Use the audience’s knowledge to create anticipation and suspense. Let the dramatic irony simmer before bringing it to a boil.
• Consider the reveal: How and when will the characters discover the truth? This moment can be the climax of your story, so plan it carefully.
• Use it sparingly: Like any literary device, dramatic irony is most effective when used judiciously. Overuse can lead to predictability and diminish its impact.

The Psychology Behind Dramatic Irony

Have you ever wondered why dramatic irony is so effective at engaging audiences? The answer lies in human psychology. When we possess information that the characters don’t, it triggers several psychological responses.

Superiority Effect

Knowing something the characters don’t can give us a sense of superiority or insider knowledge. This makes us feel more engaged and invested in the story.

Empathy and Anticipation

Dramatic irony often creates a strong sense of empathy for the characters. We understand their situation more fully than they do, which can lead to intense feelings of anticipation or dread on their behalf. It can also add romantic tension between characters when the audience roots for a couple to get together.

Cognitive Dissonance

The gap between what we know and what the characters know creates a form of cognitive dissonance. Our brains are constantly trying to resolve this discrepancy, keeping us engaged with the story.

Understanding these psychological principles can help writers craft more effective uses of dramatic irony, creating deeply engaging experiences for their audiences.

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Dramatic Irony Across Different Media

While we often associate dramatic irony with literature and theater, it’s a device that’s used across a wide range of media. Each medium presents unique opportunities and challenges for implementing this technique.

Theater is where dramatic irony first flourished. The immediacy of live performance can make dramatic irony particularly powerful, as the audience watches events unfold in real-time, unable to intervene.

In literature, dramatic irony can be sustained over long periods, allowing for complex setups and payoffs. Writers can use narrative techniques like multiple viewpoints to pull this off. Author Thomas Hardy frequently employed this literary device in his works.

Film and Television

Visual media can create dramatic irony through techniques like cross-cutting between scenes or using background elements to convey information to the audience that characters miss.

Video Games

Interactive media presents interesting possibilities for dramatic irony. Games can use player knowledge from previous playthroughs or from exploring the game world to create dramatic irony in subsequent scenes or storylines.

FAQs on Dramatic Irony

What is dramatic irony and an example.

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something crucial that the characters in a story don’t. This discrepancy between the audience’s knowledge and the characters’ understanding creates tension, suspense, or humor in the narrative.

Why is it dramatic irony?

It’s called “dramatic” irony because it originated in Greek drama, where it was used to create tension and emotional impact. The term “dramatic” refers to its use in plays and other dramatic works, rather than implying it’s always used for serious or tragic effects. Sometimes this type of irony is called tragic irony when a character’s actions have the opposite effect of what they intended, especially if the outcome is their own death.

What is dramatic irony in Romeo and Juliet ?

In “Romeo and Juliet,” dramatic irony takes place when Romeo finds Juliet seemingly dead (though the audience knows she’s only under the influence of a sleeping potion) and decides to kill himself. The audience’s knowledge of Juliet’s true state creates intense dramatic tension.

Dramatic irony is a powerful tool in the storyteller’s arsenal, capable of creating moments of intense emotion, suspense, and revelation. By giving the audience knowledge that the characters lack, it creates a unique dynamic that draws viewers or readers deeper into the narrative.

From ancient Greek tragedies to modern films and novels, this literary device has stood the test of time as a fundamental element of compelling storytelling. It taps into our psychology, triggering empathy, anticipation, and engagement. Whether used to create heart-wrenching tragedy or side-splitting comedy, dramatic irony remains a crucial technique for writers across all media.

As we’ve explored, the power of dramatic irony lies not just in the gap between audience knowledge and character knowledge, but in how that gap is leveraged to create meaningful, impactful moments in a story. By understanding and skillfully employing this literary device, writers can craft narratives that resonate deeply with their audiences, creating unforgettable experiences that linger long after the story ends.

• Last Updated: August 16, 2024

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dramatic irony

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• Literary Devices - Dramatic Irony
• Academia - What is the Difference Between Dramatic Irony and Structural Irony?

dramatic irony , a literary device by which the audience’s or reader’s understanding of events or individuals in a work surpasses that of its characters. Dramatic irony is a form of irony that is expressed through a work’s structure: an audience’s awareness of the situation in which a work’s characters exist differs substantially from that of the characters’, and the words and actions of the characters therefore take on a different—often contradictory—meaning for the audience than they have for the work’s characters. Dramatic irony is most often associated with the theatre , but examples of it can be found across the literary and performing arts.

Dramatic irony abounds in works of tragedy . In Sophocles ’ Oedipus Rex , for example, the audience knows that Oedipus ’s acts are tragic mistakes long before he recognizes his own errors. Western writers whose works are traditionally cited for their adept use of dramatic irony include William Shakespeare (as in Othello ’s trust of the treacherous Iago in the play Othello ), Voltaire , Jonathan Swift , Henry Fielding , Jane Austen , Thomas Hardy , and Henry James , among many others. Dramatic irony can also be found in such works as O. Henry ’s short story “The Gift of the Magi” and Anton Chekhov ’s story “Lady with the Dog.”

Dramatic irony is frequently contrasted with verbal irony. The former is embedded in a work’s structure, whereas the latter typically operates at the level of words and sentences that are understood by audiences or readers to carry meanings different from the words themselves when interpreted literally. (Sarcasm can be considered a form of verbal irony.) Dramatic irony is also sometimes equated with tragic irony, situational irony, or structural irony; all those terms are also sometimes understood to exist within a hierarchy that establishes narrow differences of meaning among themselves.

• Literary Terms
• Dramatic irony
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Write Dramatic Irony

I. What is Dramatic irony?

Irony is when you get the opposite of what you expect, especially if the result is humorous or striking in some way. Dramatic irony, however, is slightly different: it’s when the audience knows something the characters don’t — so the characters might get an unexpected outcome, but for the audience it’s not unexpected at all.

II. Examples

We all know the ending of Titanic — that ship is going down. But everyone on board thinks that it’s “unsinkable”!

In the Action Philosophers! comic book, a bunch of ancient Greek philosophers are arguing about the nature of reality, and they’re about to have a huge brawl. Suddenly, Democritus steps onto the scene and tells everyone that he has a solution! The universe, he says, is made up of tiny “atoms” that rearrange themselves to create all the different forms of matter we see around us. All the other philosophers find this idea so ridiculous that they collapse in laughter and forget about their quarrel. Of course, the reader knows that Democritus will one day be proven correct.

Dramatic irony can happen when the characters just don’t know what kind of movie they’re in. In a horror movie, for example, the characters might be exploring a creepy old basement when one says “Don’t be a wimp, there’s nothing down here!” Even if we’ve never seen the movie before, we know it’s a horror movie and we can be pretty sure that there is something down there — only the characters don’t know about it.

III. The Importance of Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony is often used for laughs — our extra information makes the characters appear ridiculous because we know what they’re doing won’t work. Perhaps more often, though, it’s a way of building tension. When we have information the characters don’t have, we want to shout a warning through the screen. Audience members end up on the edge of their seats, anticipating that something terrible is going to happen that the characters can’t see coming. There’s something about this tension that reminds us of our own vulnerability — after all, if the character on screen can’t see the murder creeping up behind them, then maybe you can’t either…

Every once in a while, dramatic irony can be used to give a little bonus to people who know the series well. Take the flashback episode of Firefly , when we see Zoe and Wash meet for the first time. Fans of the show know that the two of them will end up married, but if it was your first time watching you might miss out on the joke.

IV. Examples of of Dramatic Irony in Literature

The ending of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame contains dramatic irony because Quasimodo (the hunchback) doesn’t realize who the good guys are. He is trying to protect his beloved Esmerelda, but he doesn’t realize that the gypsies are actually coming to save her, not to harm her. We won’t spoil the ending for you, but it’s not the same as what they put in the Disney version…

Most Shakespeare plays have dramatic irony somewhere in them. For example, the title character from Othello is very trusting and keeps saying that he believes in his dear friend, “honest Iago.” We in the audience, though, understand perfectly well that Iago is a traitor who wants nothing more than to bring Othello down.

V. Examples in Popular Culture

Disney’s Mulan is pretty much entirely based on dramatic irony. We know that Mulan is a woman who has disguised herself as a man and joined the army. But the other characters around her have no idea, and there are almost constant jokes based on this deception: for example, the songs “Be a Man” and “A Girl Worth Fighting For.”

In the opening scene of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope , the two main characters commit a murder and stash the body in a cupboard. The film takes place over the course of a dinner party, and the cupboard with its grisly contents is always in the background. None of the guests know about the murder and there’s constant suspense as we wonder whether they will accidentally find out — or whether one of the murderers, overcome with guilt, will confess. In one particularly tense scene, the conversation turns to a discussion of murder, and the two guilty men grow increasingly nervous.

The sitcom Coupling opens with a clever reversal of dramatic irony. We see Steve getting ready to meet up with his girlfriend, and saying that it’s time to break up with her. Then we see Susan getting ready to meet up with her boyfriend, not sure what he wants. We feel bad for Susan, knowing that she’s about to get dumped. But then it turns out they’re two completely separate characters who don’t even know each other, and they’re about to go out on completely separate dates!

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
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• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
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• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
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• Pathetic Fallacy
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• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
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• Rhetorical Question
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Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony is a device that was commonly used in Greek tragedy, by which the audience is struck by the significance of a character’s actions or words in a situation they know about but which the characters do not. For example, a character in a film telling her parents that she knows she has got the job for which she has been interviewed when the audience knows that a letter is on the way informing her that she has been declined for the job.

How is dramatic irony different to other types of irony?

As literary devices go ‘dramatic irony’ is a different thing to plain old irony. Irony is a broad term that can cover different types of irony, which include dramatic irony. Below we compare dramatic irony to other types of irony:

Dramatic irony vs verbal irony

Verbal irony is a common type of irony, where a person uses language that states the opposite of what they mean to say. For example, if something goes disastrously and the assessment is, ‘Well that went well,’ that is verbal irony. Or if a student arrives late for a morning lecture and the lecturer greets them with ‘good afternoon.’ that is ironic (and sarcastic, as the lecturer’s motive is to be a little mean to the student). This compares with dramatic irony where the reader knows something that the character does not. Unlike dramatic irony, verbal irony can only be communicated by tone.

Dramatic irony vs situational irony

Situational irony is another common plot device, whereby the outcome of a series of actions ends up being very different than expected. Typically this would mean a paradoxical or perverse outcome, rather than simply a surprising or interesting one. The climax of Romeo and Juliet is an example of situational irony overlapping with dramatic irony – situational irony in that Romeo drinks poison to join Juliet in death, but actually abandons Juliet in life as she is not really dead. The dramatic irony overlap comes from the fact that the viewer knows that Juliet is not really dead as they watch Romeo drink the poison.

Dramatic irony vs tragic irony

Dramatic irony gives the audience information ahead of one or more characters, to build in a level of suspense, and in many cases, things turn out OK in the end. With tragic irony things most definitely do not turn out OK. Tragic irony is a type of dramatic irony with a very bad ending – such as Romeo and Juliet where the pair of lovers both end up dead through a series of missteps, many of which the audience is aware of before the protagonists.

How is dramatic irony used in literature?

Is irony dramatic? It certainly can be – in fact, dramatic irony is one of the most effective items in a dramatist’s toolbox. It is commonly found in films, novels and plays, particularly in tragedies and comedies to create suspense or enhance the emotional appeal of a story.

Authors use the device to create unusual meanings in the speeches of the characters. A situation in which the audience knows about causes and conflicts before the main characters do is a useful plot device. Writers use dramatic irony as a tool to create and sustain the audience’s interest. It generates curiosity. It also creates tension in that the audience is encouraged to fear the moment when characters learn the truth that the viewer already knows and how he or she will deal with it.

A wonderful take on dramatic irony from Jason Katzenstein

How did Shakespeare use dramatic irony?

Therer are many examples of dramatic irony in Shakespeare’s play – here are a couple:

In Othello , Iago hates Othello and is plotting to bring him down. Othello does not know that but the audience is well aware of it. Othello trusts Iago and has faith in him, believing him to be an honest man, while Iago is manipulating him. Iago tells Othello that his wife, Desdemona , is being unfaithful to him. He has gained the complete confidence of Othello and Othello says:

“I know thou’rt full of love and honesty And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them breath.”

The audience is holding its breath because they know Desdemona is innocent and they are fearful of the consequences of Othello’s believing Iago.

One of the finest examples of dramatic irony occurs in Shakespeare’s in Macbeth . Macbeth has encountered three witches who tell him that he will be king someday. He believes them because they have told him other things that are, in fact, true. When he arrives at the king’s court he is already thinking that he will have to kill the king. The king, Duncan, regards Macbeth as his most loyal supporter and trusts him completely. After all, Macbeth has just been fighting valiantly for him, disregarding the danger to himself. Commenting on another thane who has proved to be a traitor, Duncan, while embracing Macbeth, says:

“There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face; He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust.”

He doesn’t know what’s in Macbeth’s mind but the audience does, and as he expresses disappointment in someone he has trusted, the audience knows that he’s not long for this life – at the hands of his most loyal captain, someone he trusts even more. Duncan has no idea of that by just looking at him. And the audience is thrilled by it. It’s a beautiful example of dramatic irony.

Other dramatic irony examples

  there’s something about mary (jonathan richman).

“I’ve done it several times before.” “It’s no big deal.”

Jonathan Richman’s classic comedy, There’s Something About Mary , contains a number of dramatic irony examples. One of these is when Ted believes he has been arrested for picking up a hitchhiker, whereas the audience is aware that the police are actually questioning him about a murder. When Ted delivers the lines “I’ve done it several times before, it’s no big deal” it is the dramatic irony that is driving the comedy.

Snow White (The Brothers Grimm)

Fairy tales are full of dramatic irony examples. In the famous fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves , the audience is well aware that the old woman offering an apple to Snow White is in fact the wicked queen who wants to kill her. Snow White, of course, does not know this, takes the apple, has a bite, and falls down – seemingly dead.

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Commonly Asked Questions

Why is dramatic irony used.

By giving the audience certain plot facts ahead of some of the characters, the use of dramatic irony places the audience above the characters, and allows them to anticipate, hope, and fear future plot developments when characters will understand the whole truth about their situation.

Is foreshadowing dramatic irony?

Foreshadowing is not the same as dramatic irony, rather a device that can create dramatic irony in a book or play. Foreshadowing is a device whereby a writer gives a hint of what is to come later in the story, often letting the audience in on a secret that the characters don’t know, to create a sense of suspense.

What is irony often confused with?

Irony is potentially the most abused word in the English language, as these examples show: The word ironic is often misused to remark on a coincidence ( “ Isn’t it ironic we both turned up in the same tshirt! “ ), describe something unusual ( “ It’s December and yet it’s such a lovely day – how ironic! “ ), or to emphasize something interesting ( “ Ironically, it’s the best thing I’ve watched this year! “ ).

When used correctly, verbal irony is often confused by the listener (not the speaker) with sarcasm.

Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, dramatic irony, definition of dramatic irony, difference between dramatic irony, situational irony, and verbal irony, common examples of dramatic irony.

Examples of dramatic irony abound in movies, television, and popular fairy tales. Here are just a few examples:

Significance of Dramatic Irony in Literature

Examples of dramatic irony in literature.

OEDIPUS: And on the murderer this curse I lay (On him and all the partners in his guilt):– Wretch, may he pine in utter wretchedness! And for myself, if with my privity He gain admittance to my hearth, I pray The curse I laid on others fall on me. See that ye give effect to all my hest, For my sake and the god’s and for our land, A desert blasted by the wrath of heaven.

( Oedipus the King by Sophocles)

GRATIANO (giving PORTIA BASSANIO’s ring): Fair sir, you are well o’erta’en. My Lord Bassanio upon more advice Hath sent you here this ring, and doth entreat Your company at dinner. PORTIA: That cannot be. His ring I do accept most thankfully. And so I pray you tell him.

Out of spite, the human beings pretended not to believe that it was Snowball who had destroyed the windmill: they said that it had fallen down because the walls were too thin. The animals knew that this was not the case.

( Animal Farm by George Orwell)

George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm is akin to one long example of dramatic irony. The animals on the farm are unaware of the the pig Napoleon’s true motives. Therefore, when he runs another pig named Snowball off the farm he continues to blame everything that goes wrong on Snowball. The reader knows that Napoleon is behind all the problems on the farm, yet the farm animals remain stubbornly ignorant of this fact.

Test Your Knowledge of Dramatic Irony

IAGO: And did you see the handkerchief? OTHELLO: Was that mine? IAGO: Yours by this hand. And to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife! She gave it him, and he hath given it his whore.

Why is this a dramatic irony example? A. The handkerchief was not actually Othello’s handkerchief. B. Desdemona was indeed cheating on Othello, just as Iago alleges. C. Iago conspired to give Desdemona’s handkerchief to Cassio and uses this as evidence that Desdemona is cheating on Othello with Cassio. The audience knows the truth, but Othello is blind to it and acts under false assumptions. [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #3″] Answer: C is the correct answer. Even if you don’t know the plot of Othello, this is the only answer that involves an example of dramatic irony.[/spoiler]

What is Dramatic Irony? Definition, Examples of Literary Dramatic Irony

Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is Dramatic Irony? Definition, Examples of Literary Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony definition: Dramatic irony is a type of irony that exists when the audience knows something regarding the plot that the characters do not know.

What is Dramatic Irony?

What does dramatic irony mean? Dramatic irony is a type of irony.

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not.

Consider a horror film: The audience might know that the “killer” is in the room, but the character does not know. Consequently, the character enters the room with the killer.

This is dramatic irony. If the character knew of the killer’s presence, he would not enter the room. The dramatic irony creates suspense for the audience.

Dramatic Irony vs. Situational and Verbal Irony

What is Situational Irony?

Situational irony exists when there is a contradiction between what is expected and what actually occurs.

Example of Situational Irony:

• The firehouse burns down.

This is situational irony because one would not expect the firehouse to ever burn down. In fact, that is perhaps the opposite of the expectation. Therefore, there is a contradiction between what is expected (firehouse to remain standing and well-protected) and what actually occurs (firehouse burns down).

Please note, situational irony and coincidence are not the same thing. Coincidence is a completely accidental event and does not require an expectation. For situational irony to exist, there must be an expectation that is contradicted.

What is Verbal Irony?

Example of Verbal Irony:

• I was thrilled when my date spilled his wine on my dress.

This is verbal irony because the meaning (or intention) of this statement is actually the opposite. Clearly, the speaker is not thrilled that this occurred.

Sometimes, verbal irony is written in italics to demonstrate an emphasis in speech, denoting the figurative intent.

The Function of Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony offers a “window” to the plot that makes the audience members feel connected to the text.

Knowing information that characters do not does not mean the plot is a giveaway. On the contrary—knowing additional information usually encourages the audience to be more involved in a text instead of turned away.

Examples of Dramatic Irony in Literature

Example of Dramatic Irony:

Act 2 of Hamlet offers dramatic irony.

Hamlet concocts an idea to see if his uncle murdered his father. This involves a “play within a play” where the players will act out the murder as Hamlet believe it occurred.

Hamlet states, “The play’s the thing/Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.”

King Claudius (Hamlet’s uncle) is not privy to this plot, whereas the audience is. The audience waits in suspense to see how Hamlet’s plan will play out.

This does not mean that the audience knows the course of the plot. In other words, the audience is not aware of how their additional information (provided by dramatic irony) will affect the rest of the text. Rather, dramatic irony creates intrigue.

Define dramatic irony: the definition of dramatic irony is a type of irony that occurs the reader or audience know something that the characters in the story do not know.

In summary, dramatic irony:

• is a type of irony
• occurs when the audience knows something that a character or characters do not
• creates suspense and interest in a text

Useful Tips for Using Dramatic Irony in Your Writing

Irony is an incredibly useful literary device for writers to use. As with any useful tool, practice makes perfect. When working with dramatic irony , keep these useful in mind.

• Decide what information you want your readers to know and what you wish to keep your character(s) from knowing . Then create a complex, multi-level story or narrative by letting different characters know different bits and pieces of information.
• Generate interest by letting the reader in on thing s. Let the reader know more than the hero or protagonist .
• Consider telling the story from a different point-of-view . If you would normally have your main character or hero tell the story , let your antagonist tell it instead.
• Use ironic statements as turning points in the story that emphasize the dramatic irony .
• Stage your ending . Decide how you want the story or narrative to end. Do you want a humorous ending or a tragic one? Make sure your ending reflects the type of ending you want and makes the dramatic irony apparent.

Dramatic Irony in Literature 📚

In literature, dramatic irony is quite common and a powerful tool for writers. Shakespeare knew this and so do other prominent writers, past and present. One of the most classic examples of dramatic irony in literature occurs in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . By the tragic end, the reader both of the young lovers are alive, but Romeo does not. As a result, he poisons himself before Juliet wakes leading to her real death as well. True to his craft, and ever the master, in MacBeth , Shakespeare makes the reader aware that MacBeth is planning to murder Duncan, who believes MacBeth is his friend. Even the ancient Greeks had a flair for dramatic irony . In The Odyssey , Homer makes the reader aware that Odysseus has disguised himself to test his wife’s faith. However, Penelope and those around her are not. Another great example occurs in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights when Heathcliff overhears Cathy say it would be degrading to marry him. The irony is that he leaves before she says that he is her soulmate so while the reader is aware that Cathy believes them to be soulmates, Heathcliff is not. This tragic misconception results in the anger and bitterness that grows to consume Heathcliff.

Dramatic Irony in Film and Pop Culture 🎥

Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or audience knows more. In film, dramatic irony is often used to create humor , tension, and suspense . Some of the most notable examples of dramatic irony in film and pop culture are in TV shows such as Friends and movies like Jaws and the Scream franchise. Check out this great compilation of dramatic irony over the years.

See Also . . . 👥

Irony – the incongruity between how things appear on the surface and what is true in reality . An example of irony is when someone asks a person with a bad case of food poisoning how they feel and that person replies, “ Wow, I feel great .” The response is ironic because we know anyone suffering from a bad case of food poisoning is not going to feel great. Rather, they would most likely feel terrible. There are three distinct types of irony : Verbal (like the example above) situational , and dramatic .

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Last updated on Nov 03, 2022

3 Types of Irony: Tell Them Apart With Confidence (+ Examples)

About the author.

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About Martin Cavannagh

Head of Content at Reedsy, Martin has spent over eight years helping writers turn their ambitions into reality. As a voice in the indie publishing space, he has written for a number of outlets and spoken at conferences, including the 2024 Writers Summit at the London Book Fair.

Irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens. In writing, there are three types of irony — verbal, situational, and dramatic.

• Verbal irony is when a person says one thing but means the opposite;
• Situational irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens; and
• Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that characters do not.

The term “irony” comes from the Greek word eironeia , meaning "feigned ignorance," and many storytellers of all stripes like to employ different forms of irony as the central conceit in a plot.

To help you make heads or tails of this technique, this article will dig into the three common types of irony.

1. Verbal irony

Verbal irony is where the intended meaning of a statement is the opposite of what is actually said. People and literary characters alike use it to express amusement, emphasize a point, or to voice frustration or anger. In literature, verbal irony can create suspense, tension, or a comic effect. 

Verbal irony is actually the type of irony most used in everyday conversation, and can take the form of sarcasm — which is almost always used to denigrate someone or something. Regardless, the two are not the same thing, though many people conflate the concepts. 

To illustrate, here are a few common phrases that perfectly exemplify how verbal irony works — many of them similes comparing two entirely unlike things:

• "Clear as mud."
• "Friendly as a rattlesnake."
• "About as much fun as a root canal."

Understating and overstating

Broadly speaking, verbal irony works by either understating or overstating the gravity of the situation. 

An ironic understatement creates contrast by undermining the impact of something, though the thing itself will be rather substantial or severe. For example, in The Catcher in the Rye , Holden Caulfield casually says, "I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." Of course, Holden is lying here, which is why he can be so cavalier — and the nonchalant way he downplays something as serious as a brain tumor is ironic.

On the other hand, an ironic overstatement makes something minor sound like a much bigger deal to emphasize a quality it lacks. For example, say you win $5 in a lottery where the grand prize is $100 million. A friend asks you if you won anything, and you say, "Yeah, total jackpot" — that's an ironic overstatement.

💡 Note: Don’t confuse ironic overstatements with hyperbole , which are exaggerated statements . If a character says "I'm so tired, I could sleep for a million years,” and they are genuinely tired, that isn’t ironic — just exaggerated.

Highlighting a fallacy

Verbal irony is often used for satirical purposes, exaggerating or underplaying descriptions to reveal a deeper truth. Viewed through a lens of overstatement or understatement, the reader can see how flawed the original concept might be.

Verbal irony can be found in the very first lines of Romeo and Juliet (a play riddled with irony).

Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

Though the first line may sound respectful, we can see by the end of this verse that Shakespeare doesn’t actually mean to say that both households are alike in their great dignity. Instead, these lines imply the total opposite — that both households are equally un dignified. This irony also serves another purpose: notifying first-time readers that not all that glitters is gold. While both families might technically be considered nobility, their shared inability to act nobly toward one another ultimately leads to a bitter end for our tragic heroes.

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Providing insight into characters

Dialogue is an incredible tool for revealing what a character is like as how they choose to say something can speak volumes about who they are. Very often, people who use verbal irony tend to be highly self-aware.

For example, in Casablanca, the corrupt (yet charming) police captain Louis Renault follows instructions from German officials  to order a raid on Rick's nightclub under the pretext of closing an illegal gambling den. "I'm shocked — shocked! — to find that gambling is going on in here!" Renault exclaims while thanking Rick’s croupier for bringing him his winnings. This knowing overstatement of 'shocked' reveals a lot about his cheerfully cynical worldview.

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Creating a comic effect

Of course, verbal irony can also be used for a simple comic result. Whether it's to highlight a witty character, lighten tension during a dark or difficult scene, or just to make people laugh, verbal irony can provide a much-needed moment of humorous relief. As you might expect, verbal irony is a common joke component.

For example, in Notting Hill , when love interests Anna and Will first meet at his bookshop , he confronts a man who’s trying to steal a book, and very politely threatens to call the police. When he returns to the till to help Anna, she hands over the book she’d like to buy and says “I was gonna steal one, but now I’ve changed my mind.” Obviously, the statement isn’t true — she’s using verbal irony to make light of the situation, diffusing awkwardness and showing her friendly inclination.

2. Situational irony

In literature, situational irony is a literary or plot device occurring when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. You can use it to create suspense, humor, and surprise in your writing.

You can think of it as “the irony of events” to distinguish from the other types of irony, but it is not the same as coincidence or bad luck (apologies to Alanis Morrisette ). If you buy a new car and then accidentally drive it into a tree, that is coincidental and unlucky, but not ironic. However, if a professional stunt driver crashes into a tree on their way home from receiving a "best driver" award, that is situationally ironic. 

Within the context of a story, why might a writer use situational irony?

Creating a good ol’ fashioned twist

Authors can draw strong reactions from their readers by presenting them with carefully executed twists and turns. A plot twist is all the more delicious when it's the polar opposite of what you'd typically expect. Storylines based on or containing situational irony inherently possess an element of surprise, so they're common in the comedy, thriller, crime, and mystery genres.

In Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest , for example, Jack proposes to Gwendolen under his fake name of Ernest, hoping to share the truth about his name once he’s been accepted. His plan is quickly thwarted when she accepts him because of his name, telling him that her “ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest.” When he asks her what he thinks of “Jack” as a name, she declares that “The only really safe name is Ernest” — so his plan to reveal the truth is suddenly turned on its head, and he resolves to get christened as soon as possible. 

Emphasizing a theme or moral lesson

Steering readers to an unexpected destination in a story can also emphasize a theme or moral lesson — often reminding readers that an expected outcome is not always guaranteed. And because situational irony can urge readers to think twice about their own assumptions, authors often deploy it in fables or morality tales.

In Aesop's 'The Tortoise and the Hare,' for example, the unexpected outcome teaches us that slow and steady wins the race . Or perhaps the real moral is that you shouldn't be complacent and take naps during races.

Situational irony creates a contrast between appearances and underlying truths. When done properly, this can significantly alter a reader's interaction with, expectations of, and insight into a story. But irony must be used with care: without the help of intonation and body language, it requires people to read between the lines to understand its intentions; a reader who doesn’t see the irony will take these words at face value.

3. Dramatic irony

Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or viewer knows something that the characters in the story do not. This can create a sense of unease or anticipation as the audience waits to see how the characters will react to the situation they are in. 

So, to what effect can dramatic irony be used in a story?

Building fear and suspense

When readers or viewers know more than the characters do, they’re often left on pins and needles, waiting for the other shoe to drop or for an inevitable plot point to appear. Will the character discover the secret we already know? What will happen when they find out the truth? What if they find out the truth too late? Subconsciously, all of these questions run through their minds as the story unfolds, contributing to page-turning suspense.

The Hobbit contains a perfect example of dramatic irony — when Bilbo happens upon the ring while lost on a mountain, he puts it in his pocket and soon afterward encounters Gollum.

At this point, readers understand the significance of the ring and its importance to Gollum. However, Gollum does not yet realize he has lost the ring, and Bilbo doesn’t yet know who the ring belongs to. For this reason, the scene where Bilbo and Gollum engage in a game of riddles becomes more stressful for the audience who understands what’s at stake. 

📚 For some truly impressive suspense-building, check out this list of the 50 best suspense books of all time.

Eliciting sympathy for a character

If a character is happy but we know that tragedy lies ahead, we can’t help but sympathize with them. If the reader or audience is already "rooting for" the characters, they will hold on to the hope that things will turn out okay for them. And whatever the end result is — pain or relief —  the reader is likely to feel it twofold.

The audience knew all along! (image: Touchstone Pictures)

In the modern-day Shakespeare adaptation Ten Things I Hate About You , for example, bad-boy transfer student Patrick is paid by his classmate to woo the cold and aloof Kat. The audience knows that Kat will eventually discover the truth. The deception will wound her, and Patrick will (justifiably) lose her trust. This dramatic irony gives the scenes where they fall in love a bittersweet edge, making us sympathize with both characters. 

In fact, many romance tropes rely on dramatic irony, like the hate-to-love trope — just on account of the characters existing in a romance novel, readers know they're going to end up together . This results in that “slow burn” anticipation where readers are dying to see the characters confess their feelings, but have to live with their impatience as the romance slowly runs its course.

Setting up comical misunderstandings

A lot of comedy comes out of misunderstandings — where a character believes something that the audience knows not to be true, or doesn’t yet know something important. The dramatic irony turns into comedic tension as the character obliviously digs themselves (or other characters) into a deeper hole.

To give you an example of how this works: in a season one episode of Friends , Joey tried to win back his ex-girlfriend Angela by arranging a double date. He brings Monica but  tells her that Angela’s new boyfriend, Bob, is actually her brother — making it seem as though Bob is Monica’s date. This misunderstanding turns to hilarious confusion as Monica is creeped out by how 'close' Bob and Angela seem to be.

Want more examples and in-depth explanation of any of these types of irony? We’ve spent some time breaking them down even further in the next posts in this guide — starting with verbal irony.

3 responses

Katharine Trauger says:

08/08/2017 – 05:39

I once received a birthday card telling me that irony is the opposite of wrinkly. But I do have a question: I believe, as you related to Hitchcock and I think about his works, that he used irony extensively, even more than one instance in a piece. It's a lot to remember and I've certainly not examined his works to verify that. However, I wonder if, although his works were beyond successful and loved by many, just how much irony is acceptable in today's writing. I agree it is a great device, but can it be overdone? Also, I am writing a piece which has what I believe an ironic ending. Is that a bad place to put a huge departure from the expected? I think O'Henry did that a lot, like when the man sells his watch to buy combs for his wife, and she sells her hair to buy a chain for his watch... But today, how much is too much and will readers come back for more?

↪️ Jim Morrison replied:

20/06/2018 – 21:42

While irony can be overused, it is not a bad thing to use irony - even to end a book. "Story" by Robert McKee discusses irony as an ending and explains how to use it and when to use it. As to your question about how much irony is accepted in today's society, I would say that it is more acceptable than before. With today's writing - particularly in theater - irony is a heavily used element. Thor: Ragnarok, for example, is dripping with ironic situations. Satire, the personal wheelhouse of Vonnegut and Heller, is not only a highbrow version of sarcasm, it is also heavy on the irony. So I say, personally, be as ironic as you want, just, as mentioned in the blog, be careful you don't overuse it to the point that the use of irony becomes ironic (i.e. you lose the audience). Cheers and happy writing.

Naughty Autie says:

30/05/2019 – 15:37

There is a blog which does not allow comments, yet it's called 'The Conversation'. Funny, I always thought that a conversation always took place between multiple people.

Comments are currently closed.

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• Knowledge Base
• What Is Irony? | Examples, Types & Definition

What Is Irony? | Examples, Types & Definition

Published on June 20, 2024 by Magedah Shabo .

Irony occurs when events or words are the opposite of what is expected, creating a sense of surprise, humor , or deeper meaning in literature, rhetoric, and everyday situations.

Table of contents

What is irony, 3 types of irony, irony vs sarcasm, frequently asked questions about irony.

Irony involves a clear contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually happens or is expressed. It reveals unexpected outcomes or contradictions that challenge conventional expectations, prompting deeper thought and emotional responses.

As a rhetorical and literary device, irony plays an essential role in enriching narratives, conveying complex ideas, and engaging audiences by adding layers of meaning and nuance to communication and storytelling.

There are three common types of irony:

Situational irony

Verbal irony, dramatic irony.

Situational irony occurs when events starkly contrast with expectations. As a literary plot device, it is often used to emphasize the difference between appearance and reality, surprising the audience and creating memorable plot twists.

The effects of situational irony include provoking thought and evoking a range of emotions, from humor to tragedy. Situational irony can occur in literature, film, and theater to engage audiences and enhance storytelling.

Verbal irony occurs when someone says something dramatically different from what they mean. As a literary and rhetorical device, it is used to convey sarcasm, humor, or criticism by contrasting the literal meaning of the words with the intended message.

The effects of verbal irony include adding layers of meaning, provoking thought, and evoking a range of emotions from amusement to disdain. Verbal irony is commonly found in literature, everyday conversation, and speeches to engage audiences and enhance communication.

Dramatic irony is a plot device that involves revealing information to the audience that some or all of the characters do not know. This technique can create humor, suspense, or emotional impact.

In tragedy, dramatic irony is also called “tragic irony,” and it serves to heighten emotions such as fear, sympathy, or a sense of impending doom. In comedy, dramatic irony often involves humorous misunderstandings.

Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality. It can be situational, dramatic, or verbal.

Sarcasm is a specific type of verbal irony that conveys mockery or disdain by saying the opposite of what one means.

While irony is a technique used in satire, satire is a broad genre that aims to provoke thought and promote change.

• Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, highlighting discrepancies through situational irony, verbal irony , or dramatic irony.
• Satire uses humor , irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize and expose the flaws or vices of individuals, societies, or institutions. It aims to provoke thought and promote change.

An example of irony in literature is in O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” where Jim and Della each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other: Della sells her hair for a chain, and Jim sells his watch for combs.

The situational irony lies in the fact that Jim and Della’s well-intentioned sacrifices make their gifts useless. This irony highlights the idea that the true value of gifts lies in the love and sacrifice they represent.

Socratic irony is the technique of posing simple questions, as if one were ignorant, to expose the ignorance or flaws in others’ arguments. The irony lies in the fact that by feigning ignorance, you can lead people to reveal their own misunderstandings or contradictions, encouraging deeper reflection and critical thinking. This method is a key part of the Socratic method of teaching and dialogue.

Example : In Plato’s dialogues, Socrates questions Euthyphro about the nature of piety. Socrates pretends not to understand what piety is and asks Euthyphro to explain it. Through a series of questions, Socrates exposes the inconsistencies in Euthyphro’s definitions, showing that Euthyphro does not actually understand the concept as well as he claims.

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Irony Definition

What is irony? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition, don't worry—it is. Irony is a broad term that encompasses three different types of irony, each with their own specific definition:  verbal irony ,  dramatic irony , and  situational irony . Most of the time when people use the word irony, they're actually referring to one of these specific types of irony.

Some additional key details about irony:

• The term "irony" comes from the ancient Greek comic character called the "eiron," who pretends ignorance in order to deceive an opponent. 
• Irony overlaps with, but is not identical to, sarcasm and satire . 
• In the last twenty years or so, the term "ironic" has become popular to describe an attitude of detachment or subversive humor, like that of someone who wears a Christmas sweater as a joke. This more recent meaning of ironic is not entirely consistent with the original meaning of irony (a fact which itself might be described as being somewhat ironic). 

Irony Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce irony: eye -run-ee

Irony in Depth

The term "irony" usually refers to three particular types of irony:

• Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. For example, if someone has a painful visit to the dentist and when it's over says, "Well, that was pleasant," they are using verbal irony because the intended meaning of their words (that it  wasn't at all  pleasant) is the opposite of the literal meaning of the words. Verbal irony is the most common form of irony. In fact it is so common that when people mention "irony," they often are actually referring to verbal irony. 
• Dramatic irony  Is a plot device that highlights the difference between a character's understanding of a given situation, and that of the audience. When the audience watching a movie know what's behind that door, but the character in the movie has no idea... that's dramatic irony. 
• Situational irony  refers to an unexpected, paradoxical, or perverse turn of events. It is an example of situational irony when, in the O. Henry story " The Gift of the Magi ," a young wife cuts off her hair in order to buy her husband a chain for his prized watch, but the husband sells his watch to buy his wife a comb for her beautiful hair. 

Although these three kinds of irony may seem very different at first glance, they all share one important quality: a tension between how things appear and how they really are. For a more in-depth look at each of these devices, please visit their individual pages.

Also, it's worth knowing that sometimes instances of irony don't quite fit into any of these categories, and instead align with the more general definition of irony as something that seems to be one way, but is in fact another way. Put more broadly: sometimes irony is verbal irony, sometimes it's dramatic irony, sometimes it's situational irony, and sometimes it's just irony. 

Irony, Sarcasm, and Satire

Besides the three main types of irony described above, two other literary devices—sarcasm and satire—share a lot in common with irony:

• Sarcasm is a bitter, cutting, or mocking taunt used to denigrate a particular person, place, or thing. It can sometimes take the form of verbal irony. For instance, if you were to say to someone who had just cut you in line, "What a polite, civilized person you are!" that would be sarcasm in the form of irony, since your meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning of your words. Sarcasm very often involves irony. However, it doesn't always have to use irony. For instance, when Groucho Marx says "i never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception," he is being sarcastic, but his words, however witty they are, mean exactly what they say. 
• Satire is a form of social or political critique. Like sarcasm, it often makes use of irony, but it isn't always ironic.

You can get more details on both sarcasm and satire at their specific pages.

Irony Examples

All three forms of irony are used very frequently in literature, theater, and film. In addition, sometimes the irony found in any of these mediums is broader and doesn't fit into any of the specific categories, and is instead just general irony. 

Irony in "The Sell Out"

" The Sell Out " by Simon Rich is a short story recently published in the New Yorker that is full of irony. The story is narrated by a Polish Jew named Herschel, who lives in Brooklyn in the early twentieth century. Herschel accidentally preserves himself in brine for one hundred years, and when he is finally discovered, still alive, in 2017, he is introduced to his great-great-grandson, a young man who lives in present-day Brooklyn. On Herschel's first day, the great-great-grandson Simon tells Herschel about computers. Herschel describes the scene (note that Hershel's English isn't all that great):

It takes him long time, but eventually Simon is able to explain. A computer is a magical box that provides endless pleasure for free. Simon is used to constant access to this box—a never-ending flow of pleasures. When the box stops working—or even just briefly slows down—he becomes so enraged that he curses our God, the one who gave us life and brought us forth from Egypt.

This description is a great example of irony in the most general sense. The humor stems from the disparity between what seems to be true to Herschel (that computers are magic pleasure boxes) and what is actually true (that computers are, well, computers, and that people are kind of stupidly addicted to them). The use of irony is effective here because Hershel's description, as outlandish as it is, actually points to something that is  true about the way people use computers. Therefore, the disparity between "what is" and "what appears to be" to Herschel isn't merely a comical error; rather, it's ironic because it actually points to a greater truth about its subject.

Verbal Irony in Don Quixote

One famously ironic work is Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote .   At one point, the book's narrator states: 

… historians should and must be precise, truthful and unprejudiced, without allowing self-interest or fear, hostility or affection, to turn them away from the path of truth, whose mother is history.

We can identify the above quotation as an example of verbal irony if we consider that the book's hero, Don Quixote, is fundamentally incapable of distinguishing truth from fiction, and any historian of his life would have to follow a double track of reality and fantasy which continuously overlaps, tangles, and flips. One of the most basic premises of the book is that truth is more difficult to identify than it may seem. Therefore, when the narrator vows to follow the single path of truth, he is being ironic; in reality, he believes this to be impossible. 

Dramatic Irony in Othello

The device of dramatic irony is especially well-suited to the theater, which displays constantly shifting sets, scenes, and characters to a stationary audience that, therefore, often has a more complete or "omniscient" perspective compared to any of the characters. One excellent example of dramatic irony can be found in Shakespeare's  Othello . 

Through the play, the audience watches as Iago plots against his commander Othello, and seeks to make Othello believe that his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. The audience watches as Iago plots to himself and with others. Sometimes Iago even directly reveals his plans to the audience. Meanwhile, Othello continues to trust Iago, and the audience watches as the the plan they know that Iago is pursuing slowly plays out just as he intended, and Othello eventually murders the entirely innocent Desdemona. The way that the play makes the audience aware of Iago's plot, even as Othello is not, means that the play is full of dramatic irony almost for its entire length. 

Situational Irony in The Producers

In this classic film, two friends come up with a complicated money-making scheme in which they put on a play that they think is absolutely certain to fail. Their plan backfires when the play, entitled "Springtime for Hitler," is so shockingly bad that people think it's a comedy and come to see it in droves. This is an example of situational irony because the outcome is the exact opposite of what the play's producers expected.

Why Do Writers Use Irony?

Irony is a tool that can be used for many different purposes. Though sarcasm and satire are two ways of using irony that are primarily negative and critical, ironic statements can also underscore the fragility, complexity, and beauty of human experience.

• Situational irony often demonstrates how human beings are always at the mercy of an unpredictable universe—and that life can always take an unexpected turn.
• Dramatic irony emphasizes that human knowledge is always partial and often incorrect, while giving the reader or viewer the satisfaction of a more complete understanding than that of the characters.
• In dialogue, verbal irony can display one character's sparkling wit, and another character's thickheadedness. Verbal irony can also create a connection between people who  get  the irony, excluding those who don't.

Ultimately, irony is used to create meaning—whether it's humorous or profound—out of the gap between the way things appear and how they actually are.

Other Helpful Irony Resources

• The Wikipedia page on irony : A helpful overview.
• The dictionary definition of irony : A basic definition, with a bit on the etymology.
• The comedian George Carlin explaining the difference  between situational irony and mere coincidence.
• A site with a helpful index of examples of different types of irony in television, film, video games, and other media.

• Dramatic Irony
• Verbal Irony
• Climax (Plot)
• Figure of Speech
• Anachronism
• Common Meter
• Point of View
• Slant Rhyme
• Protagonist
• End-Stopped Line

• Quizzes, saving guides, requests, plus so much more.

Definition of Irony

Common examples of irony, verbal irony, situational irony, examples of irony in plot, real life examples of irony, difference between verbal irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony, writing irony, plot device, method of reveal, difference between irony and sarcasm, use of irony in sentences, examples of irony in literature, example 1:  the necklace (guy de maupassant).

“You say that you bought a necklace of diamonds to replace mine?” “Yes. You never noticed it, then! They were very like.” And she smiled with a joy which was proud and naïve at once. Mme. Forestier, strongly moved, took her two hands. “Oh, my poor Mathilde! Why, my necklace was paste. It was worth at most five hundred francs!”

Example 2:  Not Waving but Drowning  (Stevie Smith)

Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning: I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning .

Example 3:  A Modest Proposal (Jonathan Swift)

A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends; and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter .

Example 4: 1984 by George Orwell

War is Peace ; Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength .

Synonyms of Irony

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• Writing Tips

The Three Types of Irony: Verbal, Situational and Dramatic

4-minute read

• 14th April 2020

Irony is often misunderstood. And the fact there are three types doesn’t help! But it is a useful tool in literary writing and may even crop up in daily life, so it is worth understanding the differences between the three key types of irony:

• Verbal irony (i.e., using words in a non-literal way)
• Situational irony (i.e., a difference between the expected and actual outcomes of a situation or action)
• Dramatic irony (i.e., an audience knowing something the characters don’t)

Check out our guide below for more on how these work. And if you’re concerned about misusing the term “irony” in your writing, you can also take a look at our post on using the word “ironic” correctly.

Verbal Irony

Verbal irony involves using words to mean the opposite of their literal definitions. Or, in simpler terms, verbal irony is saying one thing but meaning the opposite. For instance, imagine someone saying the following:

What a great day: I crashed my car and lost my winning lottery ticket!

Here, the speaker is using “great” ironically. They’ve actually had a terrible day! But they say the opposite of what they mean to draw attention to the difference between a “great” day and the one they really had.

One common form of verbal irony is sarcasm, where the speaker uses irony to mock or make fun of something. However, not all verbal irony is sarcastic: irony is only sarcasm when the aim is to ridicule.

Situational Irony

Situational irony occurs when the outcome of a circumstance or action does not match our expectations. Think about Aesop’s fable of “The Tortoise and the Hare.” Just like the hare, at the outset, we’d never expect the tortoise to win the race because hares are much faster. The unexpected nature of the tortoise’s eventual win emphasizes the moral of the story , that persistence and focus are important for success, or “slow and steady wins the race.”

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This type of irony allows writer to make a strong impression by subverting the reader’s expectations. It can be used simply to shock or entertain, but it can also encourage an audience to reflect on a key theme.

Dramatic Irony

Dramatic irony is a structural device that involves the audience knowing something the characters are unaware of. This is often a key piece of information about a situation and its likely outcome.

This type of irony increases tension, makes the audience feel powerful (I know something they don’t know!), and builds up anticipation. When will the truth finally be found out? How will the characters react?

A well-known literary example of dramatic irony is seen in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet . (Spoilers ahead!) Romeo kills himself because he believes Juliet is dead , when the audience knows that she is about to wake up.

Using Irony in Your Own Writing

If you’re considering using irony in your writing, keep these key points in mind:

• Irony involves things not being what they seem, so you can use it to entertain and surprise, but also to emphasize certain themes in a text.
• It can be used to comic or tragic effect.
• Irony can include a lot of things, from a few words used ironically to make a point to an overarching structural device that runs through a story.

As such, it is worth thinking about the three types of irony and which one(s) you intend to use. And if you’re working on some writing at the moment, remember that our expert proofreaders are on hand 24/7 to help you make sure the final product is the best it can be.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Hamlet — Use of Dramatic Irony in Hamlet

Use of Dramatic Irony in Hamlet

• Categories: Hamlet

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Published: Mar 20, 2024

Words: 515 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Act i, scene 5, act iii, scene 2, act v, scene 2, impact on the audience.

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