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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
Volume 1, Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—My Gay Garments:
In this exchange from the beginning of the novel, Scott employs personification and verbal irony to humorously demonstrate Wamba’s reluctance to follow Gurth's instructions. When Gurth tells him to get up and fetch the pigs, the jester responds:
‘Truly,’ said Wamba, without stirring from the spot, ‘I have consulted my legs upon this matter, and they are altogether of opinion, that to carry my gay garments through these sloughs, would be an act of unfriendship to my sovereign person and royal wardrobe; wherefore, Gurth, I advise thee to call off Fangs, and leave the herd to their destiny [...]'
Wamba's legs take on a life of their own here, as he tells Gurth he has “consulted them” and they have suggested he not go and get the pigs. The idea of legs having their own opinion humorously highlights his reluctance to get wet and muddy trying to herd the swine. This creative use of personification serves to deflect any responsibility from Wamba for not doing the job, suggesting that he’s at the mercy of his legs’ opinion.
Scott also infuses the scene with some verbal irony in Wamba’s tongue-in-cheek justification for not doing his work. The jester says his “legs” are unwilling to take him pig-herding based on the unsuitability of his "gay garments" for the dirty, muddy work. Wamba cites the preservation of his "sovereign person and royal wardrobe" as being vitally important, and that getting his clothes dirty would be an act of “unfriendship.” This statement is ironic because Wamba doesn’t even have sovereignty over his own body; his actions are totally dictated by whatever Cedric the Saxon wishes, as he is Cedric's property.
There’s more, however. Wamba’s “royal wardrobe” of “gay garments” also plays a role in the verbal irony here. Wamba’s garments have only one purpose. He is wearing the clothes of a jester because he is a jester, but they are torn and muddied already; to suggest they would prevent him from doing that job is ridiculous. Gurth is asking Wamba to do his job (herding the swine), but instead of doing that Wamba performs his own job (telling jokes, as he does to entertain Cedric).
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