Explain the basic idea of poetic justice as virtue triumphing over vice and often in an ironic fashion.
Give an example. When the Roman King Ancus Marcius died, his two sons were in line to assume power over Rome. The sons' guardian, Tarquin the Elder, persuaded the them to go hunting while he prepared their father's funeral. When the sons returned home, Tarquin had been crowned king. The sons then hired two assassins to kill Tarquin. One assassin distracted Tarquin with talk, while the other snuck up from behind and killed him. Tarquin's death is considered poetic justice, because Tarquin distracted the sons and took the throne for himself, but in the end the sons removed Tarquin from the throne by distracting him then killing him.
Clear up any misconceptions about poetic justice. Poetic justice does not occur if vice triumphs over virtue.