Oedipus Rex

 Dramatic Irony  Verbal Irony (like sarcasm)  Situational Irony

 The difference between what a character thinks and says, and what the audience or reader knows is true

 Occurs often in movies: When we see the “bad guy” approaching someone and they do not realize it yet – we then know something they do not know.  Cinderella: we knew it was her slipper, but no one else did.

 The difference between what is said and what is meant

 "The cake is as soft as concrete" - the person wants to tell that the cake is not so soft to eat.  "Water is as clear as mud" - The person actually says that the water is not at all clear.  "Isn't it as pleasant as a root canal?" - This implies that whatever occurred was not pleasant at all.

 You end up having to do something you don’t want to and you say, "Oh Great". This may look like sarcasm but it is verbal Irony  You got completely drenched in rain and scoff at your wet clothes while your friends says, "lucky you" - verbal irony.

 The difference between what actually happens and what is expected.

 When John Hinckley attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan, all of his shots initially missed the President; however, a bullet ricocheted off the bullet-proof Presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest. Thus, a vehicle made to protect the President from gunfire instead directed gunfire to the president.

 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Dorothy travels to a wizard and fulfills his challenging demands to go home, before discovering she had the ability to go back home all the time.  The Scarecrow longs for intelligence, only to discover he is already a genius.  Tin Man longs to be capable of love, only to discover he already has a heart.  The Lion, who at first appears to be a whimpering coward, turns out to be bold and fearless.

 Verbal Irony

 Situational Irony

 Dramatic Irony