Chaucer’s Use of Irony in The Canterbury Tales In The Canterbury Tales‚ Geoffrey Chaucer compiles a mixture of stories on a pilgrimage into a figurative depiction of the medieval society in which he lived. Chaucer’s stories have a punch and pizzazz‚ which‚ to an average reader‚ seem uncommon to the typical medieval writer‚ making his story more delightful. Certain things account for this pizzazz‚ especially the author’s use of irony. Many of Chaucer’s characters are ironic in the sense that they
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Irony in “The Gift of the Magi” In The Gift of the Magi‚ O Henry uses irony to place special emphasis on love and sacrifice. O Henry is known for his use of irony in his short stories. Irony is defined as: “the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning” (dictionary.com). In The Gift of the Magi‚ O Henry uses verbal‚ situational and dramatic irony to tell his story. The most obvious and prominent type of irony used in The Gift of the Magi was situational irony
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Q: Irony is a device used by playwrights to convey meanings by words whose literal meanings is the opposite. Bring to light the various incidents of irony in the play Macbeth. A: There are two main types of irony employed by Shakespeare in Macbeth. 1. Dramatic Irony: It is the device of giving the spectator an item of information that at least one of the characters in the narrative is unaware of (at least consciously)‚ thus placing the spectator a step ahead of at least one of the characters
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English 1102‚ 12:30‚ TR September 3‚ 2009 Essay #2 –Fiction Irony in “A Cask of Amontillado” Verbal irony has a meaning (often contradictory) concealed behind the apparent meaning of a word or phrase in order to get a point across; whereas situation irony is often coincidental and contradictory to the situation at hand in an improbable way. Throughout the story “A Cask of Amontillado”‚ Edger Allen Poe uses verbal and situational irony to add a touch of macabre humor‚ build suspense‚ and foreshadow
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In the story “The sniper‚” the use of dramatic and situational irony brings out the theme of war knowing no limit. Irony helps the theme of this story by making the reader notice the details that are important in the story. Dramatic irony is shown when the sniper “considers whether he should risk a smoke. It was dangerous. He decided to take the risk.” In this example‚ the sniper takes the risk of smoking and the readers knows that he will be spotted by the enemy. This displays how people tends
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The role of “dramatic irony” is expressed in many ways through the play Macbeth written by Shakespeare.The dramatic irony plays a very important role in this play because it builds up into the theme. The theme of this play would be ambition. Macbeth had the ambition to become king and that’s what he did‚he got what he wanted.¨ I dare do all that may become a man.¨ ( Act 1 Scene 7 Line 51) Macbeth would do anything it takes to be a man. The way that dramatic irony is shown is in the one
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An Introduction to Satire sat.ire n. 1. 2. A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony‚ derision‚ or wit. Irony‚ sarcasm‚ or caustic [bitterly cutting/burning] wit used to attack or expose folly‚ vice‚ or stupidity. (dictionary.com) Ian Johnston‚ retired instructor at Malaspina University-College‚ Nanaimo‚ British Columbia‚ Canada‚ offers helpful information in more clearly defining the use and characteristics of satire: Purpose of Satire: “If we see someone or
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Alyx Culver Over the entrance to the temple at Delphi‚ the words “Know Thyself” are inscribed. This is a classic example of irony because Oedipus’s main problems come from not knowing his true self. Oedipus runs away from Merope and Polybus when he finds out the prophecy only to see it fulfilled when he returns to his homeland of Thebes. Another problem Oedipus causes himself is not realizing that his tendency to act hotheaded will come back to haunt him. When Oedipus was born‚ there was a prophecy
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poem “Barbie Doll”‚ by Marge Piercy‚ the use of imagery‚ symbolism‚ and irony expresses a tragic‚ cruel society that emphasizes appearance above personality and unrealistic beauty ideals above health and happiness. Throughout the poem a young girl is raised and bullied to believe that her appearance is the most important aspect of her self. Her self worth is torn apart until she dies. The use of imagery‚ symbolism‚ and irony works to deliver a heartbreaking message about the flawed society that existed
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Irony: Oedipus‚ the King. Irony: The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite‚ typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Oedipus‚ the King is a story full of dramatic irony. The irony gives the plot a well rounded shape but also helps the readers‚ or audience follow the story much better. It makes for an extremely interesting read. Oedipus from the start is doomed for failure‚ but what makes this story so “interesting” to the reader’s or audience is
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