Definition Of Tragic Irony Literary Term
In recent years irony has taken on an additional meaning referring to a.
Definition of tragic irony literary term. Dramatic irony is most often associated with the theatre but examples of it can be found across the literary and performing arts. The use of dramatic irony in a tragedy originally in greek tragedy so that the audience is aware that a character s words or actions will bring about a tragic or fatal result while the character himself is. The term applied to the situation in greek and other drama in which the audience is aware of some impending catastrophe or important fact of which the characters are either totally ignorant or not fully aware a condition rendered possible by the fact that greek drama dealt with legends known to all the spectators. Although the word tragedy is often used loosely to describe any sort of disaster or misfortune it more precisely refers to a work of art that probes with high seriousness questions concerning the role of man in the universe.
Meaning pronunciation translations and examples you can get a certain insight into human nature from analysing the words that people look up in. Irony is a literary device in which contradictory statements or situations reveal a reality that is different from what appears to be true. Literary terms irony tragic. Dramatic irony abounds in works of tragedy.
It is an intentional product of the speaker and is contradictory to his her emotions and actions. 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. It s when the audience knows something the characters don t so the characters might get an unexpected outcome but for the audience it s not unexpected at all. Tragic irony definition dramatic irony in tragic drama.
The effectiveness of irony as a literary device depends on the reader s expectations and understanding of the disparity between what should happen and what actually happens in a literary work. The use of dramatic irony in a tragedy originally in greek tragedy so that the. It shows that the writer has used verbal irony. In sophocles oedipus rex for example the audience knows that oedipus s acts are tragic mistakes long before he recognizes his own errors.
There are many forms of irony featured in literature. Tragic irony synonyms tragic irony pronunciation tragic irony translation english dictionary definition of tragic irony. The greeks of attica the ancient state whose chief city was athens first used the word in the 5th century bce to describe a specific kind of play which was presented. Irony eye run ee is a literary device in which a word or event means something different and often contradictory to its actual meaning.
What is dramatic irony. Dramatic irony in a tragedy.