The question of what irony is most often arises when it is difficult to distinguish between light ironic allegory and sarcasm or mockery. The Greeks are rightfully considered the founders of many philosophical movements associated with the awareness of the role of man in society, the interaction of each individual and society as a whole, as well as with the self-determination of man. Therefore, ancient Roman thinkers could not disregard such a concept as irony. According to their definition, this word means "pretending", using words and sentences in the opposite sense, for the purpose of ridicule.
The use of ironic context in antiquity becomes one of the main elements in the speeches of philosophers and statesmen. Even then it was clear that information presented in an ironic manner is more memorable and interesting than a dry presentation of facts.
Late nineteenth centurya special literary style was formed in which the literal and hidden meanings of words are opposed. Irony in literature is becoming one of the most common methods to attract the attention of readers, to give imagery and lightness to the text. This happened largely due to the emergence of mass media: newspapers, magazines. The media became incredibly popular thanks to the ironic comments of journalists. Moreover, this literary device was used not only in stories about funny incidents, but also in the coverage of new laws and events of international importance.
Irony is a subtle mockery expressed in a hidden form (evil irony, irony of fate, strange accident). So he writes about her in his explanatory dictionary S. I. Ozhegov is one of the most famous linguists of the twentieth century, a lexicographer in the field of Russian language studies.
What is irony in the modern sense of the word? First of all, this is an expression where the true meaning of the subject of discussion is hushed up or denies the explicit one. Thus, there is a feeling that the subject of discussion is not what it seems. Irony refers to a rhetorical figurative form that serves to enhance artistic expressiveness.
It is formed under the influence of mentality, national characteristics and priorities in various ethnic groups. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about what irony is without considering its interpretation in one way or another.
A simple model of this style is various turns of speech. With their expressive form, they help to give what was saidthe opposite emotional accusatory meaning. Examples of irony: "The bullet turned out to be poisoned after hitting the poisonous body of the leader."
In literature, self-irony is often used to remove the pomposity, excessive solemnity of the event. It allows you to convey the attitude of the author to what is happening. For example: "My face, if only it obeyed me, expressed sympathy and understanding." Ironic mockery allows you to hide the negative attitude towards what is happening and make his style not so obvious.
Irony comes in many forms.
- Direct is used to humiliate and make a situation funny.
- Anti-irony performs the opposite task - to show that a phenomenon or a person is better than it seems, it was underestimated, not seen.
- Self-irony - directed at yourself beloved.
In self-irony and anti-irony, negative words imply a hidden positive: “Where can we, fools, drink tea.”
Special type - Socratic. Self-irony, thanks to which a person comes to a logical conclusion and finds a hidden meaning.
What is irony for each of the people? This is a special state of mind. The ironic worldview shows that its adherent does not believe what the majority believes in, does not take general concepts too seriously, allows himself to think differently, easier, not so unambiguously.
Despite the difficulty of some people's perception of irony, in life, in literature, in films, in theatrical productions and even in painting - this is the highlight that makes our life more interesting, not so insipid, boring,driven into some kind of rigid framework. This gives the impulse to look at yourself from the outside. See your imperfection, but not hopelessness. Try to change yourself for the better and help with this action not only yourself, but also the people nearby.
You should not respond to any, even offensive joke with aggression, but rather just smile, and “everyone will become brighter from a smile.”
