Which character in 'Hamlet' is the victim of dramatic irony when he hides behind an arras to eavesdrop and is killed?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Polonius
Hamlet stabs the figure behind the curtain believing it is King Claudius. The audience knows it is actually Polonius, making the 'blind' killing a tragic mistake for the protagonist.
Keep practicing
More Dramatic Irony questions
- In 'Much Ado About Nothing', the 'orchard' scene where Benedick is tricked into believing Beatrice loves him is an example of:
- In 'King Lear', the audience knows that the 'poor Tom' character helping the blinded Gloucester is actually:
- In 'The Tempest', which relationship is most defined by the dramatic irony of Prospero’s surveillance?
- Which statement best describes the function of dramatic irony in Shakespearean tragedies?
- In 'Julius Caesar', why is the audience's knowledge of the conspirators' plan an example of dramatic irony when Caesar heads to the Senate?
- In 'As You Like It', why is Orlando's practice of 'wooing' the boy Ganymede ironic?