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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 1, Scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—Tin-Foiled:
In a speech suffused with verbal irony, the intelligent and urbane Edward insults his naive cousin Stephen while seemingly complimenting him, using a series of metaphors related to metal to suggest that his cousin is of little value:
A wight that (hitherto) his every step hath left the stamp of a great foot behind him, as every word the savour of a strong spirit! And he! This man! So graced, gilded, or (to use a more fit metaphor) so tin-foiled by nature, as not ten housewives' pewter (again' a good time) shows more bright to the world than he! And he (as I said last, so I say again, and still shall say it)-this man!-to conceal such real ornaments as these, and shadow their glory, as a milliner's wife does her wrought stomacher, with a smoky lawn, or a black cyprus?
First, he praises his cousin with ironic hyperbole, suggesting that he leaves a “great” footprint behind him with every step he takes and that his every word conveys his “strong spirit.” Then, he describes his cousin as “gilded” or covered in an outer layer of gold. This apparent compliment masks an insult, as something that is “gilded” is not truly composed of gold all throughout. However, Edward develops his insult further, suggesting that Stephen is not even gilded but rather “tin-foiled” by nature, substituting gold for a cheaper and less valuable form of metal. Here, the quality of a metal metaphorically represents a person’s own quality and authenticity; Stephen is merely covered in tin-foil, shining less brightly than the polished “pewter” of lower class housewives. Stephen, raised in the countryside, is less clever than his cousin and fails to catch these insults.
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