Mindy Ramos
Milhan
English 102
6 November 2015
A Midsummer’s Night Dream vs. Oedipus the King What role does irony play in literature? Irony is a figure of speech in which what is intended by the author is not exactly what is being said. It makes for an interesting turn of events which we see is used by many of the greatest authors, including the infamous William Shakespeare and Ancient Greek writer, Sophocles. Both Shakespeare and Sophocles are known to this day as two of the best playwrighters there ever were. They each use literary elements to make for a better play. There are three forms of irony, verbal irony, dramatic irony and situational irony. Verbal irony is used when what is being said by a character means something else …show more content…
While reading the play about lovers and fairies, the reader may notice that they know what is going on while the lovers haven’t a clue. In, “Oedipus the King”, the greatest ironic event that took place was King Oedipus’ determination in seeking to protect the people by advising to seek King Laius’ murderer not knowing that it is he.
Throughout, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, it is clear to the audience that the fairies use magic to mess with their victims, the lovers, which is called dramatic irony. It is a technique greatly used throughout the play. One example the reader may notice takes place in Act III Scene I when Bottom’s head is transformed into that of an ass. He hasn’t a clue what has happened to him and is very much confused. "I see their knavery. This is to make an ass of me, to / fright me, if they could" (3.1.114-115). This quote is quite hysterical since he has literally become an ass, coincidentally fitting his name …show more content…
We see this form being used when the lovers wake feeling confused because, though they do not have a clue as to the events that have taken place, the audience knows exactly what has happened. “Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream. (IV.i.195-197). The couples believe it was all but a dream while the audience knows otherwise. This is a perfect example of dramatic irony. The most ironic event which took place in,“Oedipus the King”, is King Oedipus’ attempt at keeping his people safe by advising to seek the murderer of King Laius which surprisingly turns out to be him. Throughout the play there is a great amount of ironies that take place which the reader can easily detect, especially situational irony. In scene I Oedipus announces his proclamation that if anyone has any information on King Laius’ murder they must come forth. “no further trouble will come to him, but he may leave the land in safety. Let him not keep silent: he shall have his reward from me.” This quote alone is quite ironic for when Teiresias is accused of lying he is betrayed by Oedipus and goes unrewarded after he was promised he would, “Let him not keep silent: he shall have his reward from
Milhan
English 102
6 November 2015
A Midsummer’s Night Dream vs. Oedipus the King What role does irony play in literature? Irony is a figure of speech in which what is intended by the author is not exactly what is being said. It makes for an interesting turn of events which we see is used by many of the greatest authors, including the infamous William Shakespeare and Ancient Greek writer, Sophocles. Both Shakespeare and Sophocles are known to this day as two of the best playwrighters there ever were. They each use literary elements to make for a better play. There are three forms of irony, verbal irony, dramatic irony and situational irony. Verbal irony is used when what is being said by a character means something else …show more content…
While reading the play about lovers and fairies, the reader may notice that they know what is going on while the lovers haven’t a clue. In, “Oedipus the King”, the greatest ironic event that took place was King Oedipus’ determination in seeking to protect the people by advising to seek King Laius’ murderer not knowing that it is he.
Throughout, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, it is clear to the audience that the fairies use magic to mess with their victims, the lovers, which is called dramatic irony. It is a technique greatly used throughout the play. One example the reader may notice takes place in Act III Scene I when Bottom’s head is transformed into that of an ass. He hasn’t a clue what has happened to him and is very much confused. "I see their knavery. This is to make an ass of me, to / fright me, if they could" (3.1.114-115). This quote is quite hysterical since he has literally become an ass, coincidentally fitting his name …show more content…
We see this form being used when the lovers wake feeling confused because, though they do not have a clue as to the events that have taken place, the audience knows exactly what has happened. “Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream. (IV.i.195-197). The couples believe it was all but a dream while the audience knows otherwise. This is a perfect example of dramatic irony. The most ironic event which took place in,“Oedipus the King”, is King Oedipus’ attempt at keeping his people safe by advising to seek the murderer of King Laius which surprisingly turns out to be him. Throughout the play there is a great amount of ironies that take place which the reader can easily detect, especially situational irony. In scene I Oedipus announces his proclamation that if anyone has any information on King Laius’ murder they must come forth. “no further trouble will come to him, but he may leave the land in safety. Let him not keep silent: he shall have his reward from me.” This quote alone is quite ironic for when Teiresias is accused of lying he is betrayed by Oedipus and goes unrewarded after he was promised he would, “Let him not keep silent: he shall have his reward from