Abstract:
Irony is a poetic device which occurs on the basis of a contradictory nature of a poetic
experience. A comprehensive exposition of the concept ‗Irony‘ is found in the Western
tradition of literary criticism. According to Oxford English Dictionary irony is a figure of
speech in which the intended meaning is the opposite of that expressed by the words used:
usually taking the form of sarcasm or ridicule in which laudatory expressions are used to
imply condemnation or contempt and a condition of affairs of events of a character opposite
to what was, or might naturally be, expected: a contradictory outcome of events as if in
mockery of the promise and fitness of things. There are many kinds and usages of irony,
Verbal irony, Structural irony, Stable irony, Unstable irony, Socratic irony, Dramatic irony,
Tragic irony, Cosmic irony, Romantic irony, Classical irony, Situational irony etc. Even
though the Sanskrit equivalent utpraːsə is found in Oriental literature, no attempt has been
made by Sanskrit critiques to recognise it as a poetic device. Still, among the theories of
Sanskrit Rhetoric and Dhvani, features of irony could be seen. Ironical expressions, dating
back to the early ages of Sigiri Graffiti, are found in Sinhalese literature as well. The
objective of this research is discussed about the irony concept of Literature in a broader
context. This research is based on primary and secondary sources. English, Sanskrit and
Sinhala classical discursive books study the primary sources and modern discursive books
study the secondary sources. Accordingly, this research paper intends to present a critical
study of the concept Irony‘, discussing its role as a poetic device in Literature.
