tragic irony

language: de

definitions

  1. A literary device in which the audience or reader possesses knowledge that the characters in the story lack, often leading to a sense of inevitability and dread regarding the character's downfall.
    de: Tragische Ironie
  2. A situation where an outcome is the exact opposite of what was intended, resulting in profound misfortune or suffering.
    de: Schicksalhafte Ironie

examples

  1. The tragic irony of Oedipus Rex is that in trying to avoid his fate, he actually fulfills it.

    Die tragische Ironie von Ödipus Rex besteht darin, dass er versucht, seinem Schicksal zu entgehen, und es dadurch erst erfüllt.

  2. There was a sense of tragic irony when the fire station burned down due to a faulty alarm.

    Es lag eine tragische Ironie darin, dass die Feuerwache aufgrund eines defekten Alarms abbrannte.