Dramatic Irony In R. G. Marlowe

The Oxford Dictionary of English defines irony as a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character 's words or actions is clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character. Irony― the difference between appearance and reality ―is a literary device evident throughout all literature as either situational irony, dramatic irony, or verbal irony. Surprising readers, situational irony contradicts the expected outcome of the story. For example, the audience of the Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling, expect that Harry Potter will defeat Voldemort, the evil lord, by killing him; however, they are thrown off guard when it is revealed that Harry Potter must allow Voldemort to kill

In the play “The Importance of being Earnest”, screenwriter Oscar Wilde explores the theme of wordplay and dramatic irony. Mr. Wilde is a talent poet with multiple written works under his belt, as stated on the site WWW.wilde-online.com. He was a Victorian writer that did poke fun at his own culture with his satirical writing style. From his writing, he is using humor to critique the attitude of the standards of the socialites around him. This is especially true with “The importance of being Earnest” due to its dry yet brilliant humor of how people will lie and hold back themselves to shield what they do not like about themselves or others. What really is interesting is his use of puns and irony, using one of the lowest forms of humor to hit the ridiculous nature of people around him. By using techniques of wordplay, puns, and even messages between this line display true intention of these characters.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragic story about two lovers who are from two disputing families, and their eventual suicides. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony throughout the play to create tension for the audience and foreshadow the ending. Dramatic irony is when the words or actions of characters in a story have a different meaning to the reader than to the characters. This is because the reader knows something that the characters do not. Romeo and Juliet’s death could have been prevented if the characters in the story weren’t so ignorant of their situations, and often times the reader recognizes this.

Irony, a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result. Throughout Night there is use of situational and verbal irony. This use of irony keeps the reader interested. The use of irony causes the reader to know things that the characters often are not aware of.

Alexandre Dumas was a master of literature; the sheer artistry in The Count of Monte Cristo makes this abundantly clear. His command of parallelism, his employ of subtle yet vivid characterization, and, most markedly, his frequent use of irony are the evidence. The latter in particular is common and used for a purpose. At times, irony is applied to insert a sliver of humor into otherwise heavy scenes; this is especially true with Dumas’s application of verbal irony. At other times, irony is exercised in order to act as a plot point. Overall, the author’s use of irony is crucial to the story’s progression.

It is when the author’s meaning behind a part of the story is actually the opposite of what is actually said. Irony can cause the reader to think harder and with more detail about a situation in a story. “A method for evoking humor, irony in literature is often like a private joke that creates a sense of complicity between author and reader. In effect, the author is saying to the reader, ‘I know you are smart enough to understand what is really going on here’” (Barnhart 1). Irony is an extremely common literary device but is also used in everyday speech. It’s very closely related to sarcasm. It is almost like the author is being sarcastic when they present irony within the writing. It can give the reader a sense of comfort towards the author. Irony is better understood when there is a certain sense of understanding and agreement between the author and the reader. The reader must be able to comprehend the fact that the author may be suggesting a much deeper and complex meaning than what is just there on the

In the play Othello, Shakespeare uses many literary devices to help the reader understand the theme of the story. One of those many literary devices used in the play, is the wide range of irony. Throughout the pages of the book the reader will see the use of dramatic, situational, and verbal irony. Shakespeare does not use irony in an understated way, it is very direct, and can be found on almost every page of the book. The use of irony creates suspense, and adds interest as to what will happen.

-Shakespeare employs dramatic irony in many of his tragedies, so that the audience is engaged, and so they are able to witness characters errors in their action, predict the fate of the characters, and experience feelings of tragedy and grief.

Dramatic irony is expressed throughout this story as many things happen that we know but the characters don’t. A dead, innocent body was placed under the floorboards by the main character himself. His confidence was getting stronger and stronger as he states, “I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye -not even his- could have detected anything wrong” (300). This dramatic irony is demonstrated when the police officers arrive at the old man’s house and ask whether the main character killed him or not. We know that he is right below, under the floorboards, but the police officers do not causing the dramatic irony effect to occur. This irony expresses suspense because of the wonder the reader has on whether

Different linguists have varying definition of irony. Fowler (1994) suggested that Irony “postulates a double audience, consisting of one party that hearing shall hear, and shall not understand, and another party that, when more is meant than meets the ear, is aware both of that more and the outsider's incomprehension”. Verschueren (1999) simply defines that irony means what is understood is opposite of what is said. Throughout the years, this idea is a core characteristic found in most linguistic as well as literary work on irony. This opposite between the figurative and literal meaning, thus, leads to the fact that irony is a trope.

Irony is usually termed as a technique or way or presenting a topic with one meaning, not disclosing to the reader that a totally different thing has happened. For instance, one might say it is ironic to save up the money to buy your dream car and it sells minutes before you get there. In the mind of someone like Edgar Allan Poe, irony can take one a far deeper meaning. One piece of irony is the name of the victim, Fortunato. This is an Italian word suggesting good fortune. (Cummings, 2005) However, we know from the beginning of the story that his fortune is not good. The more one looks for it, sometimes the more minute the irony can be. Take the description of Fortunato:

Near the end of the article the argument is cleared up with the explanation that Marlowe was murdered because of his career as a government spy. Francis and Anthony Bacon’s trouble with the law was highlighted in this article. Francis was never fully convicted but his brother was sentenced but Henry VIII helped to free him. Ralegh’s transgression is commented on and soon after Marlowe’s friend group’s ambitions are described as similar to Dr. Faustus. The play is then completely analyzed for all similarities between Marlowe’s friends and Faustus. Orgel also notes how in the productions of the play many believed something supernatural was occurring. The way this article will be incorporated in my essay is by looking at what Orgel wrote about Dr. Faustus. I will look at what was said about Helen and marriage. What I will also take away from this article is how Faustus entertained the homosexual idea when incorrectly quoting Marlowe’s Ovid

Before I set out to discuss Jonathan Lear's work on irony, I will devote some pages to a brief recapitulation of the history of this concept. On one hand, this shall help set the background for my exposition; on the other hand, it will allow me to highlight a few aspects in the history of the development of the concept of irony which are influential on Lear’s thought. In particular, I shall note how Socrates has always been taken as the paradigmatic ironist – so in this sense this study concerns Socratic irony - as well as how, since the first generation of philosophers after Socrates up until Kierkegaard’s early works, there has been a growing emphasis on irony as a practice and a way of life – that is, as opposed to “just” being a rhetorical strategy.

hristopher Marlowe has been characterized by various critics as a subjective playwright, one whose passions are reflected in the passions of his characters. Michel Poirier states that Marlowe’s mind “is spurred on by a passion similar to the one he has ascribed to some of the characters in his dramas.” Poirier concludes that there is a definite connection between Marlowe’s temperament and ideas. His desires govern his thoughts and his passions are the basis for his philosophy. Poirier considers that egotism is at the centre of his life and works. Paul Kocher goes so far as to say that Marlowe’s degree of subjectivity as a dramatist is the most important problem of all interpretation of his work. Kocher further notes that any theory of subjectivity

During the Renaissance era, Christopher Marlowe impacted and inspired many of his fellow playwrights during his short life. With the success of his plays and poems, some including Tamburlaine the Great and Hero and Leander, came the praise for Marlowe’s contemporaries. According to Peter Farey, there were notably few contemporary dramatists whom had anything negative to say about Marlowe, although he received much criticism regarding his personal life. His relatively clean reputation diminished after his first arrest in 1593 and rumors of suspected corruption. It is believed by a copious amount of scholars that Marlowe was a considerably controversial individual in the eyes of spectators during the 16th century. After all, many harbored a