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What is Irony?
Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used in such a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. It may also be a situation that ends up in quite a different way than what is generally anticipated. In simple words, it is a difference between appearance and reality, and irony pronounce (‘eye-run-ee’) is when there are two contradicting meanings of the same situation, event, image, sentence, phrase, or story.
Irony is defined by Webster as ” the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning”.
Common Examples of Irony
- You laugh at a person who slipped stepping on a banana peel, and the next thing you know, you’ve slipped too.
- when your mom walks into your filthy bedroom and says,“I see you’ve cleaned your room!”
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Types of Irony
1. Verbal Irony: is when a character or person says one thing but means the complete opposite.
Example:
When you appear to be sick and someone asks you if you’re okay. You say “Of course!” But in the meantime you are vomiting and fainting.
Within this general definition, there are 4 subtypes of verbal irony:
- sarcasm
- understatement
- overstatement
- Socratic irony
2. Dramatic Irony: is when a character believes something and the opposite is true. The audience knows that the character is working under false beliefs. This can lead to tragic situations. This is used to engage the audience and keep them actively involved in the storyline.
Example:
When you know a trap has been set and watch someone walk into it.
Within dramatic irony, there is only one subtype: tragic irony.
3. Situational Irony: is when the complete opposite of what is expected occurs. When most people think of irony, they are thinking of situational irony.
Example:
The mayor’s wife gets caught stealing.
Within this general definition, there are 4 subtypes of situational irony:
- cosmic irony
- poetic irony
- structural irony
- historical irony
Why is it important?
Authors can use irony to make their audience stop and think about what has just been said, or to emphasize a central idea. The audience’s role in realizing the difference between what is said and what is normal or expected is essential to the successful use of irony.
Irony in Storytelling
Irony is the opposite of expectation. When what we expect to happen doesn’t happen, it creates conflict.
When we know the truth about a dangerous situation and we watch someone else get close to that danger, it creates suspense.
When someone says one thing but means another, it creates complexity.
All of these elements (conflict, suspense, complexity) are fundamental building blocks in storytelling.
Irony can be sad and tragic, or it can funny and satirical. In other words, there are limitless ways you can wield irony in your stories. Let’s move on to some quick definitions of these main types along with a few subtypes or irony that provide even more complexity and depth to ironic storytelling.
Irony is born when “what seems to be” is different from “what is.” This contrast between expectation and reality is what makes irony such a rich device to use in storytelling.
Irony adds a layer of complexity and richness to the conflict. Now there is depth to your story that might not have been there before.
Writers use conflict to tell stories and irony to make better stories.
Irony in Film and TV
Dramatic Irony in film and TV is one of the most powerful tools available to writers to create compelling scenes, and unforgettable moments. Learning how to use dramatic irony in film and TV is crucial to your development as a filmmaker. There are times when we’re writing when we want the audience to be in on something that the character is not. These juxtapositions between character knowledge and audience awareness make up the foundation for irony.
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience who have been given more information, understands a situation more clearly than the character do. Often, this understanding leads to an element of suspense because we know the character will learn the truth eventually but we don’t know when or how. When the audience knows something the characters don’t, it immediately creates tension. We lean in closer and our engagement naturally increases.
Dramatic irony can be deployed in many ways and in many genres. Comedy, horror, suspense, thrillers, dramas can all benefit from the use of dramatic irony
The effects of dramatic irony can be seen in any story. Watching a character operate in circumstances where they don’t know the entire truth can be dramatic or suspenseful. But it can also be funny. Misunderstandings are the bread and butter of comedy, and dramatic irony is a fantastic way to generate misunderstanding.
Our example is from Monsters Inc. when Sully is convinced that Boo has been tossed down a garbage chute, crushed, chopped and pummeled into a cube of scrap.
Of course, we know Boo is safe and sound, making this a clear and humorous dramatic irony example.
What is Tragic Irony?
Tragic irony is a type of dramatic irony with tragic consequences, where the audience is aware that a character’s words or actions will bring a tragic result, but the character is not aware of that pending doom. Such as the Snow White’s Apple – Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the apple that puts Snow White into a deep sleep is dramatic irony, because the audience knows that the Wicked Stepmother cursed the apple, but Snow White does not.
VerbaI Irony in movies and TV, there are lines given that directly contradict what we see on screen. A lot of times these can be sarcastic comments, but they’re not always supposed to be mean. Sometimes these are self-deprecating, or lines that one character believes, but the audience knows there’s humor behind. When including verbal irony in your screenplay, it adds depth and complexity to the dialogue and, by extension, to your characters as well.
For example; In Shrek, Donkey asks Shrek if he can stay with him. Shrek replies, “Of course,” when he really means, “No, not really.”
Situational Irony in Film and TV
Situational irony is the difference between what is expected to happen and what happens on the screen or page. In movies and television, we need situational irony to keep things unexpected and interesting. It would be extremely boring if everything always turned out how we expected it to and that’s not how real life works.
In The Dark Knight, the Joker has kidnapped both Harvey and Rachel, Bruce Wayne’s on-and-off-again girlfriend. When The Joker gives Batman their locations, our hope is that he’s telling the truth. And he is, just not exactly how we expect…he switched their addresses so Batman ends up saving Harvey instead of Rachel. A cruel use of situational irony, indeed.
One great example of a movie to understand the three types of irony is Aladdin
- Verbal irony: Jasmine has just snuck out of the castle and meets Aladdin who is taking her up to his sleeping quarters. He pulls back the curtain to show the palace and talks about how great it is, and Jasmine says, “Oh, it’s wonderful all right,” and we can clearly tell from her body language and tone (and since she just ran away) she does not mean it. It’s further elaborated when she lists all the things she hates about the palace.
- Situational irony: In this same scene both characters complain about being trapped. Jasmine feels trapped living the rich, palace life; Aladdin feels trapped since he is poor and has no opportunities. (This is a perfect example of irony contributing to theme since part of the theme in Aladdin is about how we shouldn’t be greedy and how money can’t buy happiness)
- Dramatic irony: We know who Jasmine really is, but obviously Aladdin does not.
Irony & Music
When Irony is portrayed in Music it would use Verbal Irony and/or Situational Irony. Dramatical Irony may be represented in music videos.
Music has two main types Lyrical and Instrumental. When ironic lyrics are used in a song that falls under Verbal Irony. As mentioned above it is when something is said but means the total opposite and that can be determined according to one’s tone. A song that has an unexpected turn of events or meaning would fall under Situational Irony.
To further understand, think of a song that has a specific genre and tone with an opposite, unexpected and ironic lyrics. Consider a song that has an upbeat musical background but depressing lyrics or vice versa. Below you will find 2 examples of songs and their music video representing a Combination of Verbal Irony & Situational Irony.
Example 1: “The Man” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift‘s song “The Man” strongly uses both Verbal and Situational Irony and in her music video Dramatic Irony is used. She explains the irony of how hard work is perceived and praised according to one’s gender and calls out on double standards. The music video uses exaggeration sharing the song’s message. It follows an obnoxious man doing things that would normally be overlooked due to double standards. At the end of the music video it showcased Dramatic Irony, in which a big ironic plot twist happened: where the person who played the man turns out to be non other than Taylor Swift herself. Here is a verse from the song that represents Verbal & Situational Irony: “Every conquest I had made
Would make me more of a boss to you
I’d be a fearless leader
I’d be an alpha type … I’m so sick of running
As fast as I can
Wondering if I’d get there quicker
If I was a man
And I’m so sick of them
Coming at me again
‘Cause if I was a man
Then I’d be the man”
Example 2: “I’ve got a dream” in the Disney animation Tangled
The song “I’ve got a dream” in the movie Tangled is sung by criminals in a sketchy bar in the beginning who seem cruel and dangerous, but after they have a quick encounter with Rapunzel they start singing a song that is completely unexpected coming from these particular characters, thus portraying Dramatical Irony in the music video. Parts of the song itself uses Verbal and Situational Irony. Here is a verse from the song: “I’m malicious, mean, and scary.. and violence-wise, my hands are not the cleanest but despite my evil look and my temper and my hook, I’ve always yearned to be a concert pianist … I got a dream…”
References:
Creative Practice 