Dramatic irony is a situation where the audience or reader knows more about the unfolding plot than the characters do. The characters' perception of the situation and the reality that the audience knows are very different and this can produce a comic or tragic effect.
The term dramatic irony originated in Ancient Greek works of tragedy and mythology. One of the most famous historical examples is Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles; the audience knows that although Oedipus is searching for the guilty person, he himself is the guilty person. This device was popular after Shakespeare's works, but the term was defined only after his works were published.
Dramatic irony is used in many of Shakespeare's plays, including Macbeth. We first see dramatic irony when Duncan orders Ross to tell Macbeth that he is Thane of Cawdor immediately after the witches prophecize that he will become Thane of Cawdor and King. This is ironic because we know that the prophecies are coming true, but Ross and Macbeth do not. Next, dramatic irony is shown when Duncan and Banquo compliment the "pleasant" air around Inverness, while inside Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are plotting Duncan's murder. They would not have commented on the beauty of the castle if they had known that Duncan was going to be murdered. A final example is when Macbeth pledges his loyalty to the king and Duncan compliments his deeds in the battle, but in the scene before, Macbeth is shown imagining Duncan's murder taking place. The audience knows that Macbeth is starting to plot Duncan's murder, but Duncan does not. The king would not have complimented and trusted Macbeth if he had known what Macbeth was planning to do.
Links:
When you comment that "This device was popular after Shakespeare's works, but the term was defined only after his works were published", I'm not sure what you are saying. Do you mean that the term dramatic irony wasn't coined until the 17th century, or later? Or do you mean that no one used it before Shakespeare?
ReplyDeleteLady Mac
In your last paragraph, Macbeth and Ross' little knowledge of the prophecy "is ironic", because "we know that the prophecies are coming true."
ReplyDeleteI'm unsure whether you meant that this was an example of DRAMATIC irony, or general irony. Please explain.
-G
When you relate the term to Macbeth I understand how Banquo and King Duncan complimenting Macbeth's castle is ironic and produces a comic effect, but your other two examples don't have a tragic or comic effect. Can you explain where this is shown in those examples?
ReplyDeleteMC
What affect does dramatic irony have on the audience more specifically? What did Shakespeare have intended? From what I know and can tell, dramatic irony does not make any emotion felt feel stronger, or induce any tragic feeling. Does knowing a character lies when he speaks influence the way we feel?
ReplyDelete-Clement
Why does the audience enjoy the incorporation of dramatic irony in a play? Does it add to the enjoyment of the play, or contribute to another factor of the play? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using dramatic irony?
ReplyDelete~VF