"Irony has two meanings, and examples of both can be found in this play."
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"In its general sense, irony refers to a kind of twist of fate, where the result of an action 'bounces back' and affects the person who committed that action."
"When Juliet takes Friar Lawrence's drug to deceive her family into thinking that she is dead, there is a bitter irony in the fact that she also deceives Romeo who commits suicide in despair."
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"Similarly, there is irony when Romeo comes between Mercutio and Tybalt to prevent them from fighting, only to allow Tybalt to stab Mercutio under his arm."
8
"Even more important in the play is 'dramatic' irony. This is when the audience are in on a secret, but one or more characters are unaware."
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"A prime example is when Capulet and his wife believe that Juliet is in mourning for Capulet, when really she is weeping because Romeo has been banished."
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"This type of irony adds another level of meaning to many of the words of the play."
"For instance, Lady Capulet's words"
"*Tonight she's mewed up to her heaviness. III,iv"
" have a double meaning."
7
"The supreme example of dramatic irony in this play is to be found in Act III, scene v."
"Here, Juliet and her mother carry on a complete conversation in which Juliet's side has two levels."
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"On one level, she seems to be mourning Tybalt, and wishing for revenge against Romeo, as her mother does."
"On another level, we can see how her words reveal her love for Romeo, and how she longs to be with him."
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"Shakespeare's skill lies in weaving the threads of irony into the play in an appropriate way. For exam purposes, learn one or two speeches which contain dramatic irony so that you can use these as examplesin your essay if necessary."
