What's the difference between dramatic and proleptic irony?

Both of these are literary devices used in playwriting. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something relevant to the plot that the characters are not aware of. For example, in a play about the assassination of JFK, the audience would be expected to know that the president is going to be killed, and how it happened. The characters in the play, however, are not aware of this. Proleptic irony, on the other hand, occurs when an earlier event gives the audience a clue ("foreshadows") a later event in the play. To use the scenario of JFK's assassination again, perhaps a security advisor might say to the president earlier in the play that it would be worthwhile increasing the security detail when the president is in public, as there is an increased threat of assassination. This would foreshadow the actual assassination of JFK – it gives the audience a clue that perhaps JFK is not being cautious enough, and that there is a chance he will be killed.

Answered by Miles L. English tutor

43623 Views

See similar English GCSE tutors

Related English GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I answer Question 2 in English Language Paper 2?


How do I revise for exams?


How is love presented in Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 29 'I think of thee'?


Write a story about two people from very different backgrounds.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy