Irony in Romeo and Juliet

Definition

you expect one thing to happen, but the unexpected happens instead

3 types~Situational

~Dramatic

~Verbal

Verbal Irony

a character says one thing and means the opposite

Ex.) A girl has been bothering her boyfriend to ask her to prom. When he finally does ask, she says, “What a surprise”.

Ex.) You get an ugly shirt for Christmas and say, “Oh, you shouldn’t have.

Situational Irony

an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters or reader

Ex.) The firehouse burns down.The police station was robbed.The teacher failed the test.The student that didn’t study passed the

test.The marriage counselor gets a divorce.

Dramatic Irony

the audience knows something the characters do not

ex.) The audience knows that the girl Romeo is attracted to at the party is a Capulet. Romeo doesn’t know that.

Example

Act 4 Scene 1 lines 6-15 Paris: Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt's death, And therefore have I talked little of love: For Venus smiles not in a house of tears. Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous That she do give her sorrow so much sway, And in his wisdom hastens our marriage To stop the inundation of her tears, Which, too much minded by herself alone, May be put from her by society Now do you know the reason of his haste.

Example

Romeo returns to Verona. He find Juliet drugged, in a death-like sleep. He assumes she is dead and kills himself. When Juliet wakes up and finds him dead, she kills herself with his knife.

Example

Romeo and Juliet do spend eternity together. It's just not the way the audience hoped.

Example

Consider the opening lines of the prologue: “Two households, both alike in dignity.”

Example

Act 2, Scene 1 Mercutio and Benvolio see Romeo

sneaking off. He is looking for his “one true love.”

Example

Act 5 Scene 1Juliet says, “I will confess to you that I

love him.”