are irony, mockery, and sarcasm the same?
Answers
Answer:
What Is Irony?
Irony is when something happens that is the opposite of what was expected. It is one of the most misunderstood figures of speech in common English—many people think that the definition of irony has to do with coincidence or bad luck, when in fact it’s more closely related to the subversion of expectations. There are three types of irony in the literary genre:
Verbal irony: Verbal irony is when a character says something that is different from what they really mean or how they really feel. If the intent of the irony is to mock, it is known as sarcasm. Socratic irony is a type of verbal irony, where a person feigns ignorance in order to entice someone else to make claims that can then be argued with.
Situational irony: Situational irony occurs when there is a difference between what is expected to happen and what actually happens. For example, a fire station burning down is a case of situational irony.
Dramatic irony: Dramatic irony is when the audience knows more than the characters. The characters’ actions have a different meaning for them than they do for the audience, which creates tension and suspense. When used in tragedies, dramatic irony is referred to as “tragic irony.”
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Learn the Differences Between Irony, Sarcasm, Satire, and Paradox
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Feb 12, 2020 • 4 min read
The English language can be tricky and misunderstood. This is perhaps nowhere more true than with the rhetorical devices irony, sarcasm, satire, and paradox.
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What Is Irony?
3 Examples of Irony
What Is Sarcasm?
3 Examples of Sarcasm
What Is Satire?
2 Examples of Satire
What Is Paradox?
2 Examples of Paradox
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What Is Irony?
Irony is when something happens that is the opposite of what was expected. It is one of the most misunderstood figures of speech in common English—many people think that the definition of irony has to do with coincidence or bad luck, when in fact it’s more closely related to the subversion of expectations. There are three types of irony in the literary genre:
What Is Sarcasm?
Sarcasm is an ironic remark meant to mock by saying something different than what the speaker really means. Since sarcastic statements run contradictory to the speaker’s intent, they can often be difficult to identify in written English and usually rely on spoken-word verbal cues (such as a mocking tone of voice for emphatic effect) and context.