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What is irony?

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Irony is a literary device where the intended meaning is different from the actual meaning. It often involves a contrast between expectations and reality.

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What is verbal irony?

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Verbal irony occurs when a speaker says one thing but means another, often the opposite. For example, saying 'Great weather we're having!' during a storm.

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What is dramatic irony?

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Dramatic irony is when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters do, creating tension or humor. For example, in a horror movie, the audience knows the killer is in the house, but the character does not.

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What is situational irony?

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Situational irony occurs when there is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. For example, a fire station burns down.

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What is cosmic irony?

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Cosmic irony, or irony of fate, refers to the idea that fate or the universe is manipulating events to create an ironic outcome, often highlighting human helplessness.

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Example of verbal irony: 'Oh, fantastic!' when something bad happens.

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This is verbal irony because the speaker is expressing the opposite of what they truly feel.

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Example of dramatic irony: In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows they are from feuding families, but they do not.

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This creates tension as the audience anticipates the tragic outcome.

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Example of situational irony: A police officer gets arrested for breaking the law.

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This is situational irony because the expected role of a police officer is to uphold the law.

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How does verbal irony differ from sarcasm?

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Verbal irony is not always meant to mock or convey contempt, while sarcasm often has a mocking tone.

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What is an example of cosmic irony?

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A man buys a lottery ticket every week, finally wins, but dies the day before the drawing.