Literary term
Dramatic irony
When the audience knows something a character on stage or page does not.
What it means
Dramatic irony occurs when the audience or reader knows something important that a character does not. We watch them act on false or incomplete understanding. This gap between what we know and what the character knows creates tension, suspense, humour or a sense of impending disaster.
That is because we can foresee consequences the character cannot. It is especially powerful in drama, where an audience may dread or long for a character to discover the truth. Dramatic irony deepens engagement by placing the audience in a privileged, knowing position above the action.
Why it matters in the exam
In Literature, especially with plays, recognising dramatic irony lets you explain how a writer builds tension and shapes the audience's response. Identify exactly what the audience knows that the character does not. Then explain the emotional effect of that gap.
Examiners reward this. It is a key device for discussing suspense and audience involvement. It shows you understand how meaning depends on who knows what.
Example
The audience has seen a character hide a letter. We feel tense watching another character search the room for it, unaware it is already gone.
How to use it
State clearly what the audience knows and what the character does not. Then explain the effect of that gap, whether suspense, humour or dread. Link it to the moment's tension and the audience's involvement.
Avoid confusing it with other forms of irony. Dramatic irony always depends on the audience's superior knowledge over a character.
Knowing the term is the first step. In a paid one-hour trial, a teacher helps your child use "Dramatic irony" accurately in an answer.