Arts >> Theater >> Comedy

What verbal irony does William Shakespeare write?

* In _Romeo and Juliet_, Romeo says, "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." This line is ironic because the sun is actually setting, not rising, and Juliet is inside, not outside.

* In _Hamlet_, Hamlet says, "To be, or not to be: that is the question." This line is ironic because Hamlet is actually contemplating whether to commit suicide or not, which is a very different question than the one he poses.

* In _Macbeth_, Macbeth says, "Out, damned spot!" This line is ironic because Macbeth is trying to wash away the blood from his hands, but the blood is actually invisible.

* In _King Lear_, Lear says, "I have no reason to live." This line is ironic because Lear is actually very close to death.

* In _The Tempest_, Prospero says, "We are such stuff as dreams are made on." This line is ironic because Prospero is actually a very powerful sorcerer, not a dream.

Comedy

Related Categories