What type of irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not?

Dramatic irony occurs when the audience possesses knowledge that the characters lack, creating a unique tension and engagement in the narrative. This type of irony enhances the emotional experience for the audience as they can foresee consequences or outcomes that the characters are oblivious to, often leading to moments of suspense, humor, or tragedy. For example, in a play or film, if a character is unaware of a looming danger while the audience knows, this disparity heightens the stakes of the situation and can evoke stronger emotional responses.

Verbal irony involves a situation where someone says one thing but means another, often for comedic or emphatic effect, and does not involve the audience's awareness in the same way. Situational irony refers to an unexpected outcome, where the result is contrary to what would be logically expected, creating a twist of fate, but again does not hinge on the audience's prior knowledge. Cosmic irony, also known as irony of fate, suggests a larger, often cruel twist of destiny governed by the universe, and it isn't directly related to the discrepancy between character and audience knowledge.