Being Ernest Irony

No matter what the tale, a reader being aware of a detail that is not apparent to the actual character always makes for an enticing story. In both, As You Like It and The Importance of Being Earnest, dramatic irony is used effectively for humour. Whether it is making the reader feel as if the characters are oblivious, creating a subplot of romance, or simply a case of mistaken identity, dramatic irony always captures the reader’s attention.

Dramatic irony creates situations in which certain characters are oblivious to events that are imminent, however the reader is completely aware of what shall happen. At certain points in the story, readers may be figuratively shouting at the text due to the fact that characters are on the edge of a bad decision;

As You Like It makes the reader ponder upon the idea of Orlando believing Ganymede is a real individual, rather than Rosalind in disguise. Rosalind (as Ganymede) states to Orlando, “I would cure you if you would but call me Rosalind and come every day to my cote and woo me.” (3.3.433-435). The premise of this ruse, staged by Rosalind, to dress as a male only to have Orlando speak to her as if she were Rosalind, is absurd. For if Orlando was truly in love with her, he would have been able to see that Ganymede is simply Rosalind in disguise. Furthermore, the fact that Orlando accepted this makes readers question the intelligence of the young man. Dramatic irony in this scene also ties in with another comedic element, absurdity. Similarly, in The Importance of Being Earnest, it is hard to fathom the idea that Cecily has dreamt about meeting Ernest forever and believes the first man to claim that it is his name. To illustrate, Cecily introduced herself to Algernon, disguised as Ernest, saying, “You, I see from your card, are Uncle Jack’s brother, my cousin Ernest, my wicked cousin Ernest.” (Wilde, 320). Cecily has never

As You Like It incorporates mistaken identity twice with the characters of Rosalind and Celia. When coming to a realization that they must flee from the court, they take on the likeness of imaginary characters; Ganymede and Aliena.Through the many tales of Ganymede and Aliena in the court, one of the more humourous scenes is where Rosalind tricks Phebe into marrying Silvius. Phebe is infatuated with Ganymede but she is not aware it is a case of mistaken identity. To clarify, Rosalind concocts a plans and explains it to Phebe saying, “But if you do refuse to marry me, you’ll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd?” (5.4.13-14). This ruse was further expanded upon in Scene 5 when Rosalind attended the wedding as herself, to marry Orlando, therefore Ganymede was not available to wed Phebe. Dramatic irony created comic relief in this scene as the reader knew that ultimately “Ganymede” would never show up for the wedding, as Rosalind could not be two people at once. However, Phebe believed that Ganymede would show and therefore took the deal to marry Silvius if “Ganymede” did not attend. In a similar manner, one of, if not the most memorable scene of The Importance of Being Earnest, is where Gwendolyn and Cecily both realize that Ernest never existed, and both their lovers lied. However, the reader knew that both ladies finding out the truth was imminent.