Irony

Irony is a literary technique where what appears to be the case, turns out to be the complete opposite, often with humorous results.
It creates the unexpected twist at the end of a story that produces a reaction, such as laughing or crying. Irony adds intrigue and piques the audience’s interest.

This is where the result of the situation is the opposite of what you would expect. For example, the Fire station burnt down.
It can be either funny or tragic. For example, a chef severely criticizes a dish, only to discover it was his creation. Or, ‘Water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink’ from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
In Situational irony the audience and characters are totally unaware of the implications of their situation. In Dramatic irony, the audience is aware, the character is not.

This was used in Greek Tragedy, and is where the audience understands the full significance of the character’s words and actions, whilst the character does not.
At the end of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo drinks poison, believing Juliet is dead. This is dramatic irony, because the audience knows she is alive.

This is used in speech to emphasise the opposite of what is being said.
It can be used as an understatement, an exaggeration or in sarcasm.
For example, ‘Oh what a lovely war!’ was an ironic critique in music halls of the First World War.