1. Foreknowledge of Tragedy: The audience knows that the cherry orchard is set to be sold and that the characters, like Ranevskaya, are oblivious to this impending disaster. This knowledge creates a sense of dread and anticipation.
2. Misunderstandings and Miscommunication: Chekhov employs misunderstandings and miscommunication to amplify tension. For instance, characters like Lopakhin and Trofimov express their feelings and ideas, but they are often misunderstood or dismissed by others, leading to frustration and conflict.
3. Hidden Feelings and Internal Struggles: The characters often keep their true feelings and struggles hidden from each other. This withholding of information and the presence of secrets contribute to the building tension and the sense that something is about to erupt.
4. Foreshadowing: The author uses subtle hints and foreshadowing to suggest the inevitable fate of the characters and their world. For example, the sound of the distant chopping of trees serves as a foreboding reminder of the impending destruction of the cherry orchard.
5. Unresolved Conflicts: Chekhov leaves certain conflicts unresolved, creating a sense of suspense. The fate of characters, such as Anya and Trofimov, remains uncertain, leaving the audience wondering about their future.
These instances of dramatic irony heightens the tension in the play by creating a gap between what the audience knows and what the characters know. The audience is privy to information that the characters are unaware of, resulting in a sense of foreboding and uncertainty that drives the plot forward.