- In Oedipus Rex, the audience knows that Oedipus has unknowingly killed his father and married his mother. Dramatic irony creates a sense of suspense and fear as the audience waits for Oedipus to discover the truth.
- In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows that Romeo and Juliet are in love, but their families are enemies. This knowledge creates a sense of tragedy as the audience knows that the lovers will eventually be doomed.
- In Hamlet, the audience knows that Claudius has murdered Hamlet's father and married his mother. This knowledge creates a sense of revenge as the audience waits for Hamlet to take action against Claudius.
Cosmic irony or irony of fate
- In Oedipus Rex, the fact that Oedipus is the one who fulfills the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother is an example of cosmic irony or irony of fate. This shows that even though Oedipus tries to avoid his fate, he is still doomed to fulfill it.
- In Romeo and Juliet, the fact that the lovers are killed by a series of misunderstandings and chance events is an example of irony fate shows how random and cruel the world can be, even for those who are good and innocent.
- In Hamlet, the fact that Hamlet is eventually killed by Claudius, even though he has been planning to avenge his father's murder, is an example of cosmic irony. This shows how difficult it can be to achieve justice in the world.