Recently I sat down to read Kate Chopin's short story, The Story of an Hour, at the recommendation of a friends. At just over 1,000 words it's a very short story indeed, it was a fun read that really drove home the idea that a lot can happen in an hour. It also provided some excellent examples of irony as a literary device done right. If you haven’t read it before, check it out at Kate Chopin International Society's website.
Shortly after finish the story (it’s really only a couple of pages, if that) my boyfriend, playing with friends on Xbox live as he often does, started laughing when of his mate’s spaceship crashed into a meteor. My boyfriend then crashed his own ship into a meteor and proclaimed, ‘how ironic’. While an entertaining coincidence, I wouldn't call this ironic. Why not? Read on to find out.
The trouble with irony
The term irony originated from the eirôn, one of the three stock characters in ancient Greek comedy became part of the English language as a figure of speech in the 16th century. Irony has long been misunderstood and incorrectly used, it may even be the most abused word in the English language. From there, irony has become a very misunderstood and …show more content…
First, Roderigo saw Iago as a friend and helped him advance his relationship with Othello. Othello even labelled him ‘honest Iago’ and allowed Iago to advise him on his wife. Iago then convinced Cassio to drink, which lost Cassio the respect of Othello and the position he held. Finally, Iago deceived Emilia into giving him Desdemona’s handkerchief. In a rage, Othello stormed into Desdemona's room and murdered her in her bed. Soon afterwards, Iago is named as the man responsible for orchestrating the entire façade. Othello experienced the recognition that comes with ironic tension and realised that he has unjustly murdered Desdemona, who he promised to always love and trust, in an act of tragic
Shortly after finish the story (it’s really only a couple of pages, if that) my boyfriend, playing with friends on Xbox live as he often does, started laughing when of his mate’s spaceship crashed into a meteor. My boyfriend then crashed his own ship into a meteor and proclaimed, ‘how ironic’. While an entertaining coincidence, I wouldn't call this ironic. Why not? Read on to find out.
The trouble with irony
The term irony originated from the eirôn, one of the three stock characters in ancient Greek comedy became part of the English language as a figure of speech in the 16th century. Irony has long been misunderstood and incorrectly used, it may even be the most abused word in the English language. From there, irony has become a very misunderstood and …show more content…
First, Roderigo saw Iago as a friend and helped him advance his relationship with Othello. Othello even labelled him ‘honest Iago’ and allowed Iago to advise him on his wife. Iago then convinced Cassio to drink, which lost Cassio the respect of Othello and the position he held. Finally, Iago deceived Emilia into giving him Desdemona’s handkerchief. In a rage, Othello stormed into Desdemona's room and murdered her in her bed. Soon afterwards, Iago is named as the man responsible for orchestrating the entire façade. Othello experienced the recognition that comes with ironic tension and realised that he has unjustly murdered Desdemona, who he promised to always love and trust, in an act of tragic