Irony

Lore & Background

The concept of irony originated in ancient Greece, where it described a dramatic character known as the eiron, who pretended to be less intelligent than he actually was to outwit boastful opponents. Over time, irony evolved from denoting a form of deception to describing the deliberate use of language to mean the opposite of what it says for rhetorical effect, intended to be recognized by the audience. In Plato's depiction of Socrates, eironeia acquired a new sense of 'an intended simulation which the audience or hearer was meant to recognise.'

Reader's Guide

Irony's significance lies in its dual nature as both a social bonding tool and a source of division, sorting people into insiders and outsiders based on their ability to perceive it. The problem of defining irony is widely acknowledged; philosopher Richard J. Bernstein notes that a survey of the literature leaves the impression that authors are 'talking about different subjects.' Henry Watson Fowler emphasized that any definition must include that surface meaning and underlying meaning are not the same, requiring a double audience. Literary theorist Douglas C. Muecke identified three characteristics: dependence on a double-layered phenomenon, exploitation of contradiction between levels, and play upon the innocence of a character or victim. Wayne Booth noted irony's power to tighten social bonds but also exacerbate divisions. The term eludes any single definition, and its types—verbal, dramatic, cosmic, Romantic, and situational—remain subject to debate regarding organization and hierarchy.

Did You Know?

• Irony comes from the Greek eironeia and dates back to the 5th century BCE.
• The eiron, a stock-character from Old Comedy, dissimulated and affected less intelligence than he had to triumph over the alazon, a vain-glorious braggart.