Remarkable appearance in the tragic end of Romeo and Juliet, prominent writers have always used dramatic irony to create intrigue and suspense. The reader knows what is coming, but the characters don't. And as they act and speak in ignorance, readers can only hope for the best. This literary device works like a charm, and in this article, we explore its usage and share some tips to help you include them in your writing.

What is a Dramatic Irony?

Dramatic irony happens when the reader is privy to essential information that the main characters don't know. The characters’ actions have a different meaning for the audience than they do for the characters. Here, the readers can see the peril that awaits the hero on his path, to which he is oblivious. And they can't wait to see what happens when he finally encounters the danger.

Examples of Dramatic Irony in Literature

Here are some prominent examples of dramatic irony in notable works of fiction: 

George Orwell, Animal Farm (1945). Here, the readers know Napoleon's motives are treacherous, but other animals think he means well. And they blame Snowball for their misfortune, which Napoleon is solidly behind. 

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937). This occurs when Bilbo and Gollum meet. Before that, readers know that Bilbo possesses the ring, not knowing its owner or importance, and Gollum hasn't realized he has lost the ring. Readers also understand how crucial the ring is, especially to Gollum.

Sophocles, Oedipus Rex (429 BC). Here, readers know the fate of Oedipus to kill his father and fall in love with his mother. Oedipus vows to avenge his father’s murder, unaware that he is the murderer.

William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (1600). Here, Portia gives Bassanio a ring symbolizing their love and tells him not to lose it or give it away, no matter the circumstances. Later, Portia disguises as a lawyer and represents Bassanio’s friend Antonio. Then, as payment, she asks Bassano for the ring.

The Functions of Dramatic Irony

An effective dramatic irony adds the following effects to your narrative. 

It builds suspense. With dramatic irony, the reader's mind goes haywire with fear-filled questions like what will happen when they find out the truth? Will the character discover the secret we already know? What if they find out the truth too late? These questions pull the readers deeper into your narrative.

It evokes empathy for a character. A character who is oblivious to what lies ahead may share optimism, which evokes readers' sympathy for them. Readers can't help but feel sorry for this character and hope that things turn out fine for them in the end.

Tips for Creating Dramatic Irony in Fiction

Tip one: Share the crucial information in bits and pieces with various characters. Then, create a more multi-layered narrative that shows these characters interacting with each other and acting based on the knowledge they have. 

Tip two: Divulge the essential information to readers by using another character's point of view. Let's say the villain has destroyed the hero's home and killed everyone in his household. While the hero is happily returning, expecting a warm welcome from his children, with the villain's POV, you can show the readers the destruction and create suspense with the hero's arrival.

Tip three: Show the readers more than the hero already knows with your narration. You can begin your narrative this way. You can, with an omniscient POV, inform your readers of the destruction of a train track by a bomb blast while the hero is on a train on the track one hour away. And you have just piqued your readers' interest.

Tip Four: Build the turning point in your narrative with an ironic statement from a character. In a comic narration, a writer can say, "what's the worst thing that can happen." Or "nothing can go wrong." Or, like an employee of the White Star Line, at the launch of the Titanic, said, "Not even God himself could sink this ship."