How Does Shakespeare Use Dramatic Irony In Romeo And Juliet

Through the use of dramatic irony, life can be explored as full of unexpected twists and turns. Authors like to use dramatic irony to add depth to their stories just like how dramatic irony helps shape lives in the real world. A play that uses this concept is Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare. Dramatic irony shapes plots and engages the audience through the use of ignorance, empathy, and suspense.
Dramatic irony directly shows the characters’ ignorance throughout the story. Because Juliet didn’t wish to marry Paris, she followed Friar Lawrences’ instructions to take a potion that makes her appear dead. Romeo never gets this information and decides to kill himself, so he doesn’t have to live another day without her. But before

He is amazed that death “hath no power yet upon thy beauty” and its “pale flag” hasn’t affected her yet(5.3.92-96). This quote reflects Romeo’s ignorance of common knowledge. He discovered that she didn’t appear dead and refused to believe the possibility that she might’ve been alive. This engages the audience in the story by making them frustrated at Romeo for doing such an impulsive, idiotic action. He is the main cause of his own death even when there were clear signs telling him Juliet was alive. It is known that Mercutio often jibes with Romeo over his obsession with Rosaline. In this scene, Mercutio explains that Romeo is “already dead” from Rosaline’s rejection and is “shot through the ear with a love song”(2.4.13-15). Mercutio still believes Romeo is in love with Rosaline and is too sad to be able to fight Tybalt. Throughout the beginning of the play, William Shakespeare makes it clear that everyone that has an acquaintance with Romeo understands that he is depressed over love. It would make sense that he

It creates a sense of tension and anticipation of what might happen next in the play. It makes the audience become emotionally invested in the script. It is known, to the audience, that Juliet has taken a sleeping potion and is not actually dead. Romeo is unaware of this fact and takes poison with “such soon speeding gear” and quickly makes its way “through all the veins”(5.1.63-64). Suspense and tension are created as the audience waits to discover if Romeo will ever find out if Juliet is alive before he kills himself. The dramatic irony in Romeo taking the poison at the end of the play is particularly significant because it leads to the tragic ending in the story. Even at the very beginning of the play, instances of dramatic irony were being used. Romeo doesn’t believe they should be at the Capulet party at all, and he believes that what’s “hanging in the stars” contains a “vile forfeit of untimely death”(1.2.114-118). When Romeo expresses his fear that going to the party might lead to his death, it creates a sense of dramatic irony because the audience knows that this is exactly what will happen. This creates suspense as the audience waits to see how Romeo will react when he discovers the truth. Neither Romeo nor Juliet knows that this party will change their lives