Irony – Definitions & Odyssey Examples

irony	the difference between what you think will happen vs. what actually happens
dramatic irony	when the audience knows something that the characters in a play or story do not know
situational irony	something (event) that ends up differently than what you would expect
verbal irony	difference between what someone says and what they actually mean (sarcasm)
example of DRAMATIC irony from the Odyssey:	When we knew that Poseidon, the Cyclops’ father, was the one that put the prophecy/curse on Odysseus, and Odysseus did not know; when Odysseus dressed up as a beggar
example of SITUATIONAL irony from the Odyssey:	Penelope doubts Odysseus’ identity; expected a month to get home -> takes 10 years; Cyclops eats Odysseus men instead of giving him gifts
example of VERBAL irony from the Odyssey:	When Odysseus told the Cyclops that his name was “Nohbdy”, it is ironic because Odysseus is not nobody, he is the King of Ithaca.