This blog has come about because of a chance comment by one of my students. He said that he wished that there was somewhere he could go for ideas on how to teach Shakespeare to his class. I'm going to attempt one idea each day.

Wednesday, 22 June 2011

Dramatic Irony

Irony on its own is writing one thing but meaning another- sarcasm is irony that is intended to wound and it is usually exaggerated. 


Explain to students  what irony is.  Perhaps play the Alanis Morrisette song entitled 'Ironic.' 

Give students scenario cards and ask them to decide whether each scenario is ironic or not and to explain their answers.

Dramatic irony happens when the audience knows more than the characters and can there for see what is going to happen - this can be tragic or comic.  The future is concealed from the characters but not from the the audience.

Ask students to identify examples in pairs or small groups.  Answer the following questions:
1.  Why is it an example of dramatic irony?
2. How does the audience's knowledge add to enjoyment of the play?
3. How does the audience's knowledge add to its understanding of the characters?

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