Dramatic irony
A situation in which the reader or audience possesses information that the character(s) does not, creating tension, humour, or poignancy. The character's actions or words become laden with unintended meaning known only to those observing.
Real World
In Othello, the audience knows Iago is manipulating Othello long before Othello suspects anything, making every scene where Othello calls Iago 'honest' agonisingly tense for the viewer.
Exam Focus
Explain the effect on the audience, not just the character — mark schemes reward analysis of how irony shapes reader response.
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