Which form of irony is used to create tension by letting the audience know more than a character does?

• A. Dramatic irony
• B. Situational irony
• C. Verbal irony
• D. Irony

Answer: (A)

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more than a character, and that gap between what we know and what the character believes creates tension as we anticipate the moment of revelation or the consequences to come. This sense of suspense comes from watching the character move forward unaware of something the audience already understands, so we’re kept on edge about what will happen when the truth surfaces. This fits the scenario described, where the audience is privy to information the character is not. It’s different from situational irony, which centers on an unexpected outcome; verbal irony, where a character says the opposite of what they mean; and the broader, less specific notion of irony.