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Examples Of Situational Irony In Julius Caesar

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Irony is the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite. This literary device can be easily identified throughout the Shakespearean play, Julius Caesar. All three types of irony, dramatic, situational, and verbal, are displayed throughout the play to keep the audience entertained and interested. Although the characters intend no irony, Shakespeare's irony is evident throughout much of the play (Bloom). Irony is often used in Shakespeare's plays to help reveal a character’s feelings and to give the audience knowledge. Dramatic irony is a literary technique by which a character’s words or actions are clear to the audience although unknown to the character. Shakespeare uses this technique in Julius Caesar …show more content…

A good example of situational irony in Julius Caesar is when Brutus joins the conspiracy and betrays Caesar. Caesar loved Brutus, but Brutus, out of all the conspirators, was most untrue to Caesar (Bloom). Before the assassination, Caesar did not expect Brutus to be one of the conspirators because he thought Brutus was as true to him as he was to Brutus. The audience feels Caesars surprisement, for before he dies, he questions Et tu, Brute, which translates to: And you Brutus? Another good example of situational irony in Julius Caesar is Mark Antony’s funeral speech. Shortly after the brutal assassination of Caesar, the conspirators agree to allow Mark Antony to give a speech at Caesar’s funeral because they think he will help the Romans understand their motives and gain their support. Instead, Mark Antony provokes a rage against the conspirators for what they did. To prove, in his speech, Mark Antony says, “This was the most unkindest cut of all: For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face” (3.2.184-188). In this section of his speech, Mark Antony is informing the plebeians about how much Caesar loved Brutus, and how Brutus betrayed him. This, along with the rest of the speech, causes the plebeians to turn on the conspirators and call them traitors …show more content…

This technique allows characters to be sneaky and get their point across without being too aggressive. In Act 1 Scene 2, Cassius tries to convince Brutus to join the conspiracy. He tries to convince him that Caesar is not worthy to be the leader of Rome by describing times when Caesar was weak. Cassius refers to Caesar as a god when he is describing how weak he is. “Did I the tired Caesar. And this man is now become a god, and Cassius is a wretched creature, and must bend his body if Caesar carelessly but nod on him” (1.2.115-118). Since Cassius does not actually see Caesar as a god, and we know Caesar is not a god, this is an example of verbal irony. Cassius could have blatantly told Brutus that he does not like Caesar and that they should just stab him, but that would not have convinced Brutus to join the conspiracy. Instead, Cassius uses verbal irony to get his point across and successfully convince Brutus that Caesar is not worthy to be a

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