tragic irony

language: en

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.
    en: 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.
  2. A situation where an outcome is the exact opposite of what was intended, resulting in profound misfortune or suffering.
    en: A situation where an outcome is the exact opposite of what was intended, resulting in profound misfortune or suffering.

examples

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

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

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

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