Dramatic Irony is an important stylistic device. Using dramatic irony as useful plot device storytellers creates situations in which the audience knows more about situations, the causes of conflicts, and their resolutions before the leading characters or actors. That is why readers observe that the speech of actors takes on unusual meanings. We found Dramatic Irony in plays, movies, theatres, and sometimes in poetry.
Examples of Dramatic Irony
Example # 1. Arup entered the room and kept a book in a safe. Rahul took the book and left the room. When Rakhi was entering the room, Anup saw her. Rakhi asked Anup who got the book.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘Arup and Rakhi’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 2. A man went to the garden and stole some roses. The gardener came and saw there were a few roses left.
Explanation- In the sentences ‘The gardener’ is unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 3. A girl came and kept a glass of water. A boy came and drank.
Explanation- In the sentences the character ‘the girl’ is unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 4. Someone told a woman that her baby was missing. Mother was cried bitterly.
Explanation- In the sentences the character ‘ A mother’ is unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 5. In a fair a girl child was searching for her mother. Mother thought the child was with her father.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a child, a mother, and father’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 6. A man gave a blue pen to his son on his birthday. The boy lost it in the school anyway.
Explanation- In the sentences the character ‘ the boy and a man’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 7. A boy was in a room. The father got tension as he could not find his son.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a boy and his father’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 8. In a railway platform. Three men met each other. They exchanged their bags.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘three men’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 9. A lady met a man. They got marriage. The man collapsed her father.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a lady, a man, and her father’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 10. A man set for a trap. Someone fell into the trap.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a trapper and a person’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 11. A child lost in a fair. After ten years a young boy took alms from a man. The man came in search for his lost child.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a father and a child’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 12. A boy kept a bike. A stranger came and took his bike. The boy came and cried.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a boy and a stranger’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 13. A man was working in a room. A lady came slowly and stand behind him with a rose.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a man and a lady’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example #14. A lady was singing alone. A man was listening her song.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a lady and a male person’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 15. A girl was walking on the road. A thief followed her.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a thief and a girl’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 16. A deer was drinking in a steam. The tiger was watching.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ the deer and the tiger’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 17. A man created a facebook account. He chatted with a woman hiding his name.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a man and a woman’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 18. A lady conceals her identity. A robber told the planning of robbery.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘a lady and a robber’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 19. A boy kept a pen in a bag. Mother took it. Father could not find it.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a boy and mother, and father’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 20. A man left a gold chain. A servant got it and sold.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a man and a servant’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 21. A girl got a job in a company. The boy vacant the post.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters’ a girl and a boy’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 22. A poor man got senseless. A student admitted him to a hospital.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘a poor man and a student’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 23. A beautiful lady transforms into a fairy. The people were unknown.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters’ a lady and people’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 24. A hermit went to a temple. he met a pandit. Pandit was an idol of Shiva.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters’ a hermit and pandit’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 25. A thief was vin a lock up. Police helped him to escape.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a thief and police’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 26. Two boys came to a jungle. They heard roaring. The tiger was death.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘two boys and tiger’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 27. A cat sat on a table. It stole fish and left. Mother was unknown.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘a cat and mother’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 28. In a marriage ceremony the groom left the party. She married to her lover.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘the groom, bride and her lover’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 29. Monkey snatched bananas. The poor ate them.
vExplanation- In the sentences the characters ‘monkey, stranger and poor man’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 30. A photographer was capturing photo. An ant bit in his leg.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a photographer and an ant’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 31. Rohit was waiting for a guest. The man got down from the train in the platform.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘Rohit and guest’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 32. A hero rescued a girl. Father took her from the police station.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a hero and father are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 33. A friend gifted a watch to his friend. He gave it to a poor girl.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a friend and girl’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 34. A boat man dreamt at night. He lost it. A thief theft the boat.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a boat man and a thief’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 35. He went to Agra. He left letter. The guard did not allow him.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘ a person and letter’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Example # 36. A fox lived in a forest and left the cave. The lion returned the place ate all food.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘the fox and the lion’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
How to find a dramatic irony?
According to the definition of dramatic irony, wherein we find that characters are unaware of the speeches or words of conflicts of each other, in the other hand the audiences or readers know the words or speeches of the characters.
We should keep in mind when we will find out dramatic irony-
- If the characters, their situations, and conflicts are placed in the dramas, novels or plays.
- If the main information is hidden or disclosed from other character.
- If any character ignores the conversation of other character.
- If a character in a situation where he should state what he is unaware of.
Example- A boy took shelter in a room. He found no food there and slept. A man came and kept some food there.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘a boy and an unknown man’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
How to describe a dramatic irony?
Dramatic irony is a device that was mostly used in Greek tragedy by which the writer strikes the audience by his plotted characters’ actions or words in a situation the audiences or readers know about but the characters do not.
Example- A boy took shelter in a room. He found no food there and slept. A man came and kept some food there.
In the sentences the characters ‘a boy and an unknown man’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
When to use a dramatic irony?
To create a special tragedy in dramas, plays, or novels, authors use this irony to plot unusual meanings in the speeches of the characters in a situation the audiences or readers clear about it although that is unknown to the character.
Example- Jim and Della, a young couple had sold their precious pocessions those were Della’s long hair and Jim’s gold watch to buy gift for one another on Christmas Eve. —O Henry “The Gift of The Magi”.
Explanation- Jim did not know that Della sold her most precious procession, long hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim’s watch and Della also did not know that Jim sold his gold watch to buy jewelled tortoise comb for her hair, but the audience or the readers know the expressions or words.
Why to use a dramatic irony?
Writers or authors use the dramatic irony to create a special situation or suspense in the dramas or novels that effects in the readers’ mind and to the audiences to take interest from and absorb in the plays or drama.
Dramatic irony always impacts on the audiences or readers because in the drama wherein the writers or authors create such situation of conflicts or causes that leads to a great embedment of the main character in the drama, novels, or plays.
Example- A little boy came to help a poor. The poor man denied to steal money.
Explanation- In the sentences the characters ‘a little boy and a poor man’ are unknown about the speeches or actions of the other character that creates conflicts between characters and create a special situation in the drama.
Conclusion-
The usefulness of dramatic irony has a special place in English dramas, novels, and plays that helps the readers or the audiences to know better understanding of the characters, theme, and tragedy of writing.
Hi! I am Bhabesh Sing. I have completed M.A in English, M.A in Vocal Music, and B.Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a Subject Matter Expert in English on this Platform.
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