LHE3253 Teaching the Language of Drama Irony, foreshadowing, flashback Dr. Habsah Hussin Sat. September 10, 2011

Irony Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs. A statement in which the intended meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning.

3 types of Irony 1. Verbal irony 2. Dramatic irony 3. Situational irony

Verbal irony A statement Meaning sharply contrasted with the meaning expressed Usually involves explicit expression of one attitude/evaluation But with indications – the speaker intends a very different (often the opposite ) attitude or evaluation

Verbal irony (2) Make light of a circumstance or subject A disparity of expression and intention: when a speaker says one thing but means another The literal meaning is contrary to its intended effect E.g. the statement “what a lovely day” when it is raining.

Verbal irony (3) “Way to go, Einstein” when someone makes a mistake We know that these utterances are ironic because of our familiarity with the situation, the tone of voice, facial or bodily expressions which show the discrepancy/contrast

Verbal irony: 2 kinds Understatement: - minimizes the nature of something - Overstatement: - exaggerates the nature of something

Dramatic Irony Device of giving a piece of information that at least one of the characters in the narrative is unaware of (at least consciously) Allowing the audience to know s/thing in order to create tension before a character becomes aware of it. Thus, the audience is a step ahead of at least one of the characters.

Dramatic Irony (2) Contrast between what the character thinks to be true and what we (the reader) know to be true. Because we know s/thing the character does not, we read to discover - how the character will react when he/she learns the truth of the situation E.g. Oedipus the King

Dramatic Irony (3) When a character states s/thing that he believes to be true But the reader knows is not true Key to dramatic irony is the reader’s information or foreknowledge of coming events

Examples: Romeo and Juliet Everyone thinks Juliet is dead But the audience knows she took a sleeping potion. Oedipus the King The reader knows that Oedipus himself is the murderer that he is seeking; But Oedipus, Creon and Jocasta do not

Dramatic Irony – Summary The audience knows s/thing that one or more of the characters in the play is not aware of. Disparity of expression and awareness When words and actions possess a significance that the listener or audience understands, but the speaker or character does not. When a character says to another “I’ll love you until I die” not realizing a piano is about to crush them

Situational Irony A sharp contrast between reality and human ideals Or contrast between intentions and actual results When things do not work out as planned, but go according to the situation, and the characters involved are unaware of the fact.

Situational Irony (2) Contrast between what happens and what was expected When the results of an action is contrary to the desired or expected effect. Irony of situation is often humorous, e.g. a prank backfires on the prankster

E.g. a person places a bucket of water over the door to pull a prank on his friend -he forgets it later and gets drenched himself.

Foreshadowing The dramatist hints at, or implies what is to come in the play later on, before the actual event takes place, through the dialogues of the characters, the incidents taking place now and details that are included. Foreshadowing gives the audience clues of upcoming events in the play.

Flashback A flashback is an interruption in the current action to include something that happened at an earlier time by -switching the scene to a past scene, -creating a different setting -characters (different or the same ones) under different circumstances Have a character recall and review an incident from the past

Flashback (2) Is used to provide the reader with b/ground information to facilitate greater u/standing of the characters or the action in the play