What is the meaning of irony in literature?
Literature. a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated.
How is irony used in the everyday world?
Irony is a literary technique and rhetoric device that has been used for many years in speech, art and even everyday life. In the ordinary use of language, Pocket Fowler ‘s Modern English Usage describes irony as ‘an expression of meaning by use of words that have an opposite literal meaning or tendency’.
When is dramatic irony used for comic effect?
Dramatic irony can also be used for comic effect. A similar instance of dramatic irony, used this time for a black comic effect, occurs in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, in which Imogen discovers a headless body which she mistakes for that of her lover, Posthumus.
Which is the best example of verbal irony?
Verbal irony, for instance, is a form of irony which arises from the difference between what a speaker says and what he or she means. A classic example of verbal irony used to comic effect occurs in the opening lines of Jane Austen ‘s novel Pride and Prejudice.
At its most fundamental, irony is a difference between reality and something’s appearance or expectation, creating a natural tension when presented in the context of a story.
What kind of irony is used in satire?
The nonliterary use of irony is usually considered sarcasm. Irony is among the most powerful devices used in satire. The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering, Executive Editorial Director.
How to know if a text has structural irony?
Structural irony is a little different so it will require a slightly different approach. The process for analysing structural irony is: Ask yourself if the structure of the text is antithetical to what is happening inside the text. This is often difficult to uncover during the first reading of the text.
Which is the best definition of cosmic irony?
Cosmic irony can be attributed to some sort of misfortune. This form of irony is the result of fate or chance and the outcomes are not a result of the characters’ actions. So it can seem as if an outside force has a hand in the situation.