Irony

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In literature, irony is the use of words or situations to convey a meaning opposite to their literal meaning. The word irony derives from the Greek ειρων, eirōn, dissembler.[1] People often mis-use irony to describe situations that are merely unlucky or incongruous. It would be correct to use the term irony to describe Marc Anthony's funeral oration in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Marc Anthony repeated calls Brutus "an honorable man", while meaning the exact opposite.

Notes

  1. irony. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved on 2008-04-07.