Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience recognizes the irony of a situation, but the character does not. This can also be when the character 's actions are different from what the audience expects.
Clara: "How do you do?"
Higgins: "Ive seen you before somewhere. I havent the ghost of a notion where; but Ive heard your voice. It doesnt matter. Youd better sit down."
Mrs. Higgins: "I'm sorry to say that my celebrated son has no manners" (Shaw 71, Act III).
This is dramatic irony because Higgins is a renowned intellectual who is often very rude to others. He said his acquaintance with Clara did not matter, and he did so directly in front of her. Henry was a member of the upper class who sometimes had manners that were beneath Eliza's. The audience can determine this dramatic irony by observing a character's thoughts, speech, or interaction between one another.
Higgins: "Ive seen you before somewhere. I havent the ghost of a notion where; but Ive heard your voice. It doesnt matter. Youd better sit down."
Mrs. Higgins: "I'm sorry to say that my celebrated son has no manners" (Shaw 71, Act III).
This is dramatic irony because Higgins is a renowned intellectual who is often very rude to others. He said his acquaintance with Clara did not matter, and he did so directly in front of her. Henry was a member of the upper class who sometimes had manners that were beneath Eliza's. The audience can determine this dramatic irony by observing a character's thoughts, speech, or interaction between one another.