Definition Irony In Literature
Irony eye run ee is a literary device in which a word or event means something different and often contradictory to its actual meaning 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.
Definition irony in literature. Although many of us learn about irony in our high school english classes through works of theater like shakespeare s romeo and juliet or sophocles s oedipus rex many people feel unsure of what irony means or how to use it correctly. Verbal irony dramatic irony and situational irony. In recent years irony has taken on an additional meaning. Irony is a literary device in which contradictory statements or situations reveal a reality that is different from what appears to be true.
There are many forms of irony featured in literature. Irony is a broad term that encompasses three different types of irony each with their own specific definition. Most of the time when people use the word irony they re actually referring to one of these specific types of irony. As a literary device irony is often misunderstood.