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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Poe do. Edgar Allan Poe is famous for his gothic horror writing‚ tales of mystery‚ and the macabre. His stories use clear symbolism with muted irony. This dark story by Edgar Allan Poe is made more interesting by the irony he uses to increase tension‚ enhance horror‚ and communicate the theme. It is ironic that we only have Montresor’s word for what happened‚ but yet he is an unreliable narrator. Montresor can be considered an unreliable narrator because he never gives any details of the “thousand
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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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Irony is the general name given to literary techniques that involve surprising‚ interesting‚or amusing contradictions. 1 Two stories that serve as excellent demonstrations of irony are "The Pardoners Tale" and "The Nun’s Priest’s Tale‚" both from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. Although these two stories are very different‚ they both use irony to teach a lesson. Of the stories‚ "The Pardoners Tale" displays the most irony. First and foremost‚ the entire telling of the story is ironic‚ considering
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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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while trying to hid from the plague. Bother stories have a similar concept‚ but also have completely different styles. Both “The Pardoner’s Tale” and “Federigo’s Falcon” use irony and plot to show that obsessed devotion can destroy everything one has worked for. One of many similar elements that these two stories hold is irony. It is used as a meaning of missing the goal
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destruction‚ portraying Oedipus as a helpless pawn of fate. The most prominent literary device is dramatic irony‚ primarily of the spoken word‚ through which--especially in the Prologue--Sophocles captures audience attention‚ illuminates Oedipus’ arrogant personality‚ and foreshadows the events of the final scenes. It is not difficult to understand why Sophocles resorts to dramatic irony in the construction of his play. He is working with much the same problem a modern-day playwright would face
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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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5. Mr. Shiftlet manages to get what he wants by negotiating with Mrs. Crater‚ knowing what she wants as well. Mr. Shiftlet is a wise man and knew what Mrs. Crater was trying to do‚ without her directly telling him as it is said on page 1039‚ “The old woman’s smile was broad and toothless and suggestive. ‘Teach her to say ‘sugarpie‚’’ she said. Mr. Shiftlet already knew what was on her mind” (O’ Connor‚ 1039). This shows that Mrs. Crater isn’t the best at being slick and secretive‚ therefore it’s
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types of irony such as basic irony which is the use of word to convey a meaning that is opposite of its literal meaning. Situational irony which is the moment a characters actions have the opposite of their intended effect. Finally there is dramatic irony which occurs when there is a contrast between the readers knowledge and the knowledge of the characters in the work. However situational irony is what mostly transpires in Kate Chopin short story "The Story of an Hour" Situational irony is used
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