What is Irony? There are three types: Verbal Dramatic Situational

Verbal When someone says something but says the opposite. Examples: When something bad happens, and someone says, “Oh, great.” When a mother comes into the TV room and discovers her 11-year-old watching South Park instead of doing his homework. Pointing to the screen she says, "Don't let me tempt you from your duties, kiddo, but when you're finished with your serious studies there, maybe we could take some time out for recreation and do a little math.” When someone says “break a leg” to an actor going on stage. When it is raining, and someone says, “It’s lovely weather we are having.”

Dramatic When audience knows something that the characters do not Examples: Eerie music is playing when the killer in near in a horror movie. In Shrek, audience knows Fiona is an ogre, but Shrek does not. In Titanic, audience knows ship will sink, but the passengers think it is “unsinkable.” In Home Alone, audience knows about the traps that Kevin has set, but the bugulars do not. In Something About Mary, Ted is arrested. The audience knows that he is being questioned for murder, but he thinks he is in trouble for picking up a hitchhiker. In talk shows, the guest do not know why they are there, but the audience does. In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows that Juliet is drugged, but Romeo thinks she is dead.

Situational When the opposite of what is expected happens Examples: Bank robbers have their get away car stolen while they are robbing the bank. A man survived a plane crash but then dies when the ambulance wrecks on the way to the hospital. A famous chef doesn’t know how to make macaroni and cheese. Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye He waited his whole darn life to take that flight And as the plane crashed down he thought "Well isn't this nice...“

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Explain the IRONY