What is the difference between dramatic and verbal irony?
Both dramatic irony and verbal irony involve a contrast between what is perceived and what is actually true in a narrative. However, there is a key difference:
- Dramatic irony involves the audience’s awareness of information that characters lack. It is used to create tension, often emphasizing themes like the cruelty of fate or the folly of deception.
- Verbal irony involves a contrast between what is said and what is meant. It is often used for sarcasm, humor, or to add impact to a paradox.