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Definition of Irony
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how... read full definition
Act 4, Scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—The Spaniard:
In a scene suffused with dramatic irony, Surly disguises himself as a Spanish nobleman and returns to Lovewit’s house, which Subtle, Doll, and Face have utilized as their base of operations. Feigning ignorance of English and speaking Spanish instead, the disguised Surly listens to Subtle and Face as they openly insult him and discuss their schemes:
Sur. Por dios, senores, muy linda casa!
Sub. What says he?
Fac. Praises the house, I think;
I know no more but's action.Sub. Yes, the casa,
My precious Diego, will prove fair enough
To cozen you in. Do you mark? you shall
Be cozen'd, Diego.Fac. Cozen'd, do you see,
My worthy Donzel, cozen'd.Sur. Entiendo.
Sub. Do you intend it? so do we, dear Don.
Surly compliments the house in Spanish, leading Subtle and Face to believe that he does not speak or understand English. Subtle, feeling that he can speak openly in front of the Spaniard, admits that he plans to “cozen” (or “trick”) Surly, and Face immediately corroborates their criminal intentions. Surly responds by saying, in Spanish, that he understands them, ironically highlighting the fact that he is disguised and intends to expose their scheme. Subtle, however, misunderstands his Spanish and believes that he has said he “intends” to do something. This scene is one of several that demonstrate dramatic irony, as characters wear disguises that are transparent to the audience but not to other characters. Here, Surly turns the tables on Subtle and Face by adopting a false persona.
Related Themes:
Act 5, Scene 5
Explanation and Analysis—Surly's Threat:
In a scene that exemplifies dramatic irony, Surly unknowingly threatens Face in front of Face himself, who has returned to his original identity as Jeremy the servant. When Mammon and the others finally realize that they have been tricked by Face, Subtle, and Doll, they respond with despondency and anger:
Mam. I will go mount a turnip-cart, and preach
The end of the world, within these two months. Surly,
What! In a dream?
Sur. Must I needs cheat myself,
With that same foolish vice of honesty!
Come, let us go and hearken out the rogues:
That Face I'll mark for mine, if e'er I meet him.
Fac. If I can hear of him, sir, I'll bring you word,
Unto your lodging; for in troth, they were strangers
To me, I thought them honest as my self, sir.
Mammon, who has lost a good deal of money in this scheme, reacts with shock to the revelation that he has been scammed, exclaiming “What! In a dream?” Surly, however, responds with anger, announcing that he intends to punish Face personally if their paths ever cross. Ironically, Surly states this to Face himself, who is now unrecognizable after shaving off his beard and returning to his original identity, Jeremy. Face, as Jeremy, promises to let Surly know if he ever hears word of Face again, though he claims that Face and Subtle “were strangers” to him. In this scene, Face is able to pull off his final ruse and avoid punishment for his various schemes.
Related Themes:
