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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
Section 3
Explanation and Analysis—Doctors:
In the above passage, Burke uses a metaphor to equate his opponents to doctors, with the object of their surgery and study being the "rights of men":
Do these new doctors of the rights of men presume to assert, that King James the Second, who came to the crown as next of blood, according to the rules of a then unqualified succession, was not to all intents and purposes a lawful king of England . . . ?
In this excerpt, the term "doctor" functions as a derogatory title. According to Burke's characterization, the revolutionaries believe themselves to be experts, entitled to dissect and comment on politics and human rights. Burke clearly disagrees; the word "doctor" here is laden with verbal irony, implying that Burke views his opponents' rhetoric as damaging rather than healing.
Generally, the title of "doctor" implies intelligence and training—and, above all, the ability to cure. According to Burke's characterization, the revolutionaries believe themselves able to "cure" political ailments. Taking the title to be applied ironically, it becomes evident that Burke considers the revolutionaries to be the real political ailment.
Notably, this metaphor functions as an example of an important motif utilized by Burke throughout the text: equation of the "political body" (or government) with the physical body.
Related Themes:
