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Definition of Verbal Irony
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. When there's a hurricane raging outside and someone remarks "what... read full definition
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. When there's a hurricane raging... read full definition
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean... read full definition
Act 2, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—You Cannot Derogate:
In conversation with Cloten, the spoiled and foolish son of the Queen and stepson of the King, the First Lord employs verbal irony to mock his companion:
FIRST LORD
There’s an Italian come, and ’tis thought one of Leonatus’ friends.CLOTEN
Leonatus? A banished rascal; and he’s another,
whatsoever he be. Who told you of this stranger?FIRST LORD
One of your Lordship’s pages.CLOTEN
Is it fit I went to look upon him? Is there no derogation in ’t?FIRST LORD
You cannot derogate, my lord.CLOTEN
Not easily, I think.FIRST LORD
[aside] You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish, do not derogate.
In this moment, the First Lord, recognizing the potential for some amusement, informs Cloten that a friend of his rival, Posthumus, has traveled from Italy. Cloten is instantly intrigued by the idea of potentially gambling with this new arrival and, in doing so, gaining back what he lost in a previous bet. However, since Posthumus is (in Cloten's words) a "banished rascal," he wonders if going to see Posthumus's friend would reflect poorly on him. “Is there no derogation in ‘t?” he asks,, wanting to know if people’s opinion of him would be lowered if he went to see Posthumus's friend. Responding with clear verbal irony, the First Lord assures him that he “cannot derogate, my lord.” While Cloten believes that the First Lord means that his good reputation will not suffer, the First Lord is ironically suggesting that Cloten’s reputation is so poor that it cannot be lowered any further in the eyes of the public. In an aside, he explains his pun, noting that Cloten is seen as a fool, which is why foolish acts cannot alter public perception of him.
