There are three basic types of irony in literature: verbal, situational, and dramatic. Verbal irony is saying something you do not mean but without intent to deceive (such as saying “we all know everyone’s favorite day is Monday”). Situational irony is when a situation is the opposite of what might be expected (such as a scuba diver drowning in their bathtub). Dramatic irony is in literature when the audience knows something a character does not (for example, a horror film’s main character choosing to open a forbidden door.

Austen uses verbal, situational, and dramatic irony to comment on the novel’s main themes, as well as to satirize society.

Pride and Prejudice’s first line is verbal irony: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” This line reflects Mrs. Bennet’s worldview, which will be critiqued later on in the novel, but even without knowing the story ahead readers will know this is not actually true. Thus, Austen pokes fun at a society wherein women have to marry to have worth; with such a societal value, Mrs. Bennet’s worldview makes sense even if it is not true.

Austen employs dramatic irony when Mr. Collins attempts to rationalize the behavior of all women and cannot understand why Elizabeth would turn his proposal down. On paper, he can provide for her family and is a well-respected man, but the audience knows he is a fool who could never make Elizabeth happy. Situational irony comes into play when Mr. Darcy comments that Elizabeth is merely “tolerable” on the eyes, as he will later come to deeply love her. He also later insults her family’s behavior, and then will go out of his way to protect the Bennets from Lydia’s running away with Mr. Wickham, which could have rendered all other Bennet daughters unsuitable; there is further situational irony in that, as a result of Mr. Darcy’s intervention, Jane and Elizabeth both end up married to men they love.

Romeo and juliet explores love in multiple forms including romantic and familial love propels every action in the plot that is not motivated by its opposition hatred. The “hatred” between between montagues and capulets is the strongest barrier to romeo and Juliet’s love. This serves to illustrate the central idea of the play love dragged down by hatred cannot last. Shakespeare exalts the power of love but he also points out that without the blessing of authority, love is unsustained. Violence drives the plot of Romeo and Juliet with as much or perhaps more force as love the play begins with violent verbal threats. It also takes the form of self harm as the two lovers commit suicide. Prejudice and lack of communication play a strong role in causing violence emphasizing that the failure to communicate openly can be fatal.

Shakespeare builds the theme of authority by showing how each character weilds his or her power over others as the highest authority. Shakespeare uses the prince as the voice of reason. He is never swayed by emotion but recognizes the truth about violence and judges fairly. “Friar Lawrence” represents religious authority and the voice of wisdom advising Romeo to love moderately. The Friar delivers a core message that humankind is both good and evil. Evil has the capability to dominating good, leading to the destruction of an individual. Lord Capulet represents social and parental authority and is stern and enforcing them with his family encounter points to these characters neither Romeo nor Juliet wants power over the other. Much of the attention on Romeo and Juliet revolves around conflicts between young or old characters. Although more temperate the old characters seem to forget that they share the same passions as the younger characters. Through Mercutio, we learn that Romeo’s true identity is not revealed until after he falls in love with juliet. Through juliet we learned that Romeo is more than just his name. However Romeo’s position prevents him from growing into his new identity as Juliet’s husband.

Romeo and juliet explores love in multiple forms including romantic and familial love propels every action in the plot that is not motivated by its opposition hatred. The “hatred” between between montagues and capulets is the strongest barrier to romeo and Juliet’s love. This serves to illustrate the central idea of the play love dragged down by hatred cannot last. Shakespeare exalts the power of love but he also points out that without the blessing of authority, love is unsustained. Violence drives the plot of Romeo and Juliet with as much or perhaps more force as love the play begins with violent verbal threats. It also takes the form of self harm as the two lovers commit suicide. Prejudice and lack of communication play a strong role in causing violence emphasizing that the failure to communicate openly can be fatal.

Shakespeare builds the theme of authority by showing how each character weilds his or her power over others as the highest authority. Shakespeare uses the prince as the voice of reason. He is never swayed by emotion but recognizes the truth about violence and judges fairly. “Friar Lawrence” represents religious authority and the voice of wisdom advising Romeo to love moderately. The Friar delivers a core message that humankind is both good and evil. Evil has the capability to dominating good, leading to the destruction of an individual. Lord Capulet represents social and parental authority and is stern and enforcing them with his family encounter points to these characters neither Romeo nor Juliet wants power over the other. Much of the attention on Romeo and Juliet revolves around conflicts between young or old characters. Although more temperate the old characters seem to forget that they share the same passions as the younger characters. Through Mercutio, we learn that Romeo’s true identity is not revealed until after he falls in love with juliet. Through juliet we learned that Romeo is more than just his name. However Romeo’s position prevents him from growing into his new identity as Juliet’s husband.