There is another feature about dramatic irony. Many of the plots of Ancient Greek plays were based on well-known myths and legends, many of which would have been well-known to the contemporary audiences then. They, the public, all knew what was going to happen next. The use of a well-known myth or story meant that the audience was always in anticipation of the downfall of the principal character in the case of a tragedy as the play progressed. Dramatic Irony could work both ways. Of course the playwright could change the plot of the myth or legend if he so wanted thereby creating a surprise for his audience who were expecting some other outcome, or they could have their ironic expectation satisfied.
Irony as a Dramatic Tool
Irony, particularly dramatic irony, is a cornerstone of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. The audience is privy to information that the characters are not, creating a sense of foreboding and tension. This discrepancy between knowledge creates a powerful dramatic effect.
Dramatic Irony: The audience knows Oedipus is the murderer they seek, while he remains oblivious. This knowledge intensifies the dramatic impact of his investigation.
Situational Irony: Oedipus flees Corinth to avoid fulfilling a prophecy, only to inadvertently to fulfil it. This ironic twist highlights the futility of his attempts to control fate.
Verbal Irony: Oedipus mocks Tiresias for his blindness, ironically highlighting his own spiritual blindness.
References
Philip Vellacott (12 June 1975). Ironic Drama: A Study of Euripides' Method and Meaning. CUP Archive. ISBN 978-0-521-09896-0.
Helene P. Foley (15 March 2019). Ritual Irony: Poetry and Sacrifice in Euripides. Cornell University Press. ISBN 978-1-5017-4063-3.
Ritual Irony - Poetry and Sacrifice in Euripides - Internet Archive
Robert L. Perkins (2001). The Concept of Irony. Martin Antic: Clouds of Irony: Mercer University Press. pp. 161–. ISBN 978-0-86554-742-1.
On the pretense theory of irony. [PDF]
Some Aspects of Dramatic Irony in Sophoclean Tragedy
S. K. Johnson
The Classical Review
Vol. 42, No. 6 (Dec., 1928), pp. 209-214
Published by: Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Classical Association
https://www.jstor.org/stable/701419
Philological Museum vol 2/On the Irony of Sophocles - Wikisource
