Irony
Vik Chandra
Verbal Irony
It is the use of vocabulary to describe something in a way that is other than it seems. Often, but not always, verbal irony is used with a sarcastic tone or nature. Verbal irony is often a comment that conveys a different meaning than what it may seem to be.
When can it be used/Examples
Verbal irony is used in a variety of circumstances. It may be used in general conversation or also in media. Television sitcoms and movies often use verbal irony, as do many political pundits.
- Soft like a brick
- Hard as putty
- Clear like dirt
- As pleasant as surgery
Situational Irony
Situational Irony occurs when the expected outcome does not happen. This is also called an irony of events. The outcome can be serious or humorous.
Examples
- A pilot had a fear of heights
- A fire station burns down
- The marriage counselor files for divorce
- The police station gets robbed
- Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare - Romeo finds Juliet drugged and assumes she is dead. He kills himself then she awakens, see that he is dead and kills herself.
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic Irony occurs when the audience knows something the characters do not. Because of this understanding, the words of the characters take on a different meaning. This can create intense suspense or humor.
Examples
- In a scary movie, the character walks into a house and the audience knows the killer is in the house.
- In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo thinks Juliet is dead and the audience knows she is not.
- In Toy Story, the toys move when the people are not there. Also, Buzz thinks he is a real space ranger.
- Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad is a DEA agent looking for crystal-meth producer "Heisenberg”. We know that "Heisenberg" is Schrader’s brother-in-law, Walter White.
Your Turn!
Come up with an example for either verbal, dramatic , or situational Irony
Work Cited
- "Examples of Verbal Irony." YourDictionary. Dictionary.Com, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
- "Examples of Situational Irony." YourDictionary. YourDictionary.com, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
- "Dramatic Irony Examples." YourDictionary. YourDictionary.com, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.