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. There are many examples of situational irony in Othello. One big example that went throughout the story was the triangle of Cassio, Othello, and Iago. Iago wanted Cassio dead, while Othello promoted Cassio to a higher position, and later in …show more content…
A third example of irony in the play is the use of war. In real life Othello is actually fighting a war, and he is the leader that is in the topmost position. While on the other hand, there is a war in Othello’s head. He is fighting amongst himself, trying to see if Desdemona is really cheating on him or not. This is the war he loses. The verbal irony used in the play is sometimes zany. Some of the lines are found to be the exact opposite of what is actually the truth, but in such a manner is drives the audience crazy. This is especially found between Iago and Othello. Othello would be found saying things as: Honest Iago . . . "(V.II.92), "I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter” (II.III.263). Iago has poured his poison into Othello and made him truly deem that he is his friend and protector. It shows how much trust Othello has in Iago, and shows the reader how it is going to waste. One line that shows great irony is: "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (III.III.195-96). But the whole reason Iago wants to ruin Othello is because he is jealous, yet he counsels Othello on the matter instead. In the end, Othello does kill his wife because he in fact is jealous. Verbal irony is found throughout this play probably the most. It adds a bit of humor while tormenting the characters, who don’t know the truth. Dramatic irony is key component of
There are many more examples that use dramatic irony to further support the theme and prompt of revenge. “I hate the moor...will do as if for surety” (pg. 55). This is one of the reasons that Iago gives for justifying his revenge against Othello. Another example, is when Emilia believes that somebody is telling Othello lies about Desdemona. “The Moor’s abused...scurvy fellow” (pg.203). Emilia wants to get revenge on who may be telling lies to Othello about Desdemona. Which is ironic because, it is her own husband. Lastly, “I kissed thee ere I killed thee...to die upon a kiss” (pg.265). Othello obtained revenge for killing his wife
Dramatic irony occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play. Willy thinks that
In the ironic tale of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses language effectively such as using figurative language. The results of it gives the reading of the text a poetic and complex flow with a myriad of use of contradictory and paradox. The use of paradox is a statement that contradicts itself and still seems true somehow. In Romeo and Juliet there are many uses of this with the use of other contradictory language.
Another use of literary devices could be situational irony when Shakespeare writes about how Friar Laurence tries to help Juliet and Romeo by having her drink a mixture that will make her seem like she’s dead and Romeo would come and take her to Mantua. However, his plan fails and Romeo and Juliet end up killing themselves. (Act V, Scene III, lines 240-280) This is a good fit because Friar Laurence made the mixture to help Juliet avoid her marriage with Paris so that Romeo can come in at night to break into her coffin and rescue her to go live in Mantua with him because he was banished from Verona, and no one would still think Juliet was dead. But instead the Friar's letter to Romeo isn't delivered making Romeo buy lethal poison that can kill 20 men from an apothecary, then having to sneak into Juliet's where Juliet was kept. Then Paris ended up coming and fighting Romeo and losing, then due to his previous murder on Tybalt,
The most important use of irony in Hamlet is situational. He uses this type of irony to catch Claudius, which is the turning point of the story. He also uses situational irony to crown Denmark’s biggest enemy king. The situational irony of the play within a play is that it resembles how Hamlet Sr. dies and the fact that Claudius does slip on his emotions. The reader gets some important details about Hamlet’s character through his use of irony: he is smart, does not trust Claudius, and knows how to use his vast knowledge of literature to set up Claudius. Hamlet suspects Claudius killed his father and tells the actor “let
William Shakespeare, the playwright of Romeo and Juliet, includes many ironical instances where the audience knows the outcome of a situation, but the characters don’t. Dramatic irony leave audience members in anticipation as they are waiting for the fate of the characters to unravel before them. The whole idea of dramatic irony is to create a sense of suspense as a story unfolds. Shakespeare wrote this play with an intent to add tension in the atmosphere as the play unveils itself. While the characters may not know what lies ahead of them, spectators are left alone with their thoughts, questioning if the worst is yet to come.
Dramatic irony is defined as drama of information known by the audience but not know by the characters. In Oedipus the king dramatic irony is definitely a key part of the story, constantly keeping the audience on edge knowing such a huge thing Oedipus can’t figure out even when it is told right to him. The dramatic irony in this play is what makes it great.
27 Apr. 2017.). The frequent use of dramatic irony in “Othello” is evident through the use of misplaced trust, symbolism, as well as jealousy and love. Shakespeare’s use of the dramatic irony convention helps to create a complicated but interesting plot for both audiences and readers, oftentimes causing audiences to feel anger, disbelieve, or sympathy towards the characters. Throughout the play almost all
Shakespeare uses dramatic irony on multiple occasions, one being when Romeo and Juliet first meet at the Capulet's party and didn't know that their families names each other but everyone else did all to prove that love can be stronger than hate. Juliet is telling the nurse that she can not believe that Romeo is who he is:
Irony can be found in nearly every piece of literature. One of the most ironic and famous pieces of literature known to this day is Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. In the play, irony plays a rather “poisonous” role in which what is expected to be a romantic love story turns out to be a tragedy. The irony is all represented through the physical actions of the two main characters rather than what they say. Juliet was petrified to find her true love dead and drank a poison to kill herself as well because she couldn’t live her life without him. When Romeo awakened and found Juliet dead he stabbed himself because he felt the same as she. Although this irony can be portrayed as morbid and tragic, many find entertainment and comedic relief through
Shakespeare’s play is full of irony: dramatic, situational, and verbal. Dramatic irony is when Mercutio and Benvolio think romeo is still depressed about Rosaline, but the audience knows he is over her and has moved onto Juliet.
Shakespeare’s plays depend to a great extent on incongruity. There are three sorts of incongruity introduced in this novel. They are: situational, verbal, and sensational. Incongruity assumes an imperative part in Othello. It makes anticipation, also adds enthusiasm to the story.
Shakespeare cleverly uses the art of disguise, in both his tragedies and his comedies, in order to employ a literary device known as dramatic irony, where the audience members are aware of something (in this case the true identity of characters) that characters in the play are not. This, of course, creates tension in a play and excites the audience; actions take place on the stage, of which the audience knows the import, but characters on the stage do not. It also creates a setting for a great deal of irony where characters make comments that take on a double meaning.
Dramatic Irony is present several times in The Merchant of Venice, for example, in act four scene one when Bassanio remarks that he would give everything up for Antonio, including his wife, Portia disguised as Balthazar responds, “Your wife would give you little
William Shakespeare uses many literary devices to enhance and provide greater complexity in his works. More specifically, the theme, symbolism, and dramatic irony are used to enrich Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello. The plot is definitely engaging but the theme allows for an universal human correspondence, furthering the depth of the author’s message. The element of symbolism contributes to the theme of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Symbolism expresses elaborate concepts, which further intrigues the readers. Another literary tool Shakespeare uses to enrich his piece is dramatic irony. The powerful device of dramatic irony is intended to maintain the audience 's interest by establishing a