1. Hamlet's Feigned Madness:
* Irony: Hamlet pretends to be mad to investigate his father's murder and gain time to plot revenge.
* Audience Knows: We, the audience, know Hamlet is not truly mad. This knowledge creates tension as we watch him manipulate others while secretly strategizing.
* Characters Don't: The characters in the play, like Claudius and Polonius, believe Hamlet's madness is genuine. This allows Hamlet to say and do things he wouldn't be able to if he were truly sane.
2. The Play Within a Play:
* Irony: Hamlet stages a play, "The Mousetrap," that mirrors his father's murder. This is done to gauge Claudius's reaction and confirm his guilt.
* Audience Knows: We know the play is a deliberate test, but the characters on stage (Claudius included) believe it to be a mere theatrical performance.
* Characters Don't: Claudius's reaction (he abruptly leaves the play) reveals his guilt, but he believes he's simply uncomfortable with the subject matter.
3. The Death of Polonius:
* Irony: Hamlet kills Polonius, mistaking him for Claudius hiding behind a tapestry.
* Audience Knows: We know Polonius is not Claudius, and the murder is a tragic misunderstanding.
* Characters Don't: Hamlet believes he is killing Claudius, and his act fuels further conflict and tragedy.
4. Ophelia's Madness:
* Irony: Ophelia descends into madness after the death of her father and the rejection of her love for Hamlet.
* Audience Knows: We understand her madness is a result of the trauma she has endured.
* Characters Don't: Some characters (like Claudius) might attribute her madness to grief or a weakness of character.
5. Hamlet's Delay:
* Irony: Hamlet constantly delays his revenge against Claudius, often citing reasons like indecision, doubt, or moral dilemmas.
* Audience Knows: We see his delay as a product of his own internal conflict and the fear of consequences, but Hamlet himself may not fully understand his own motivations.
These are just a few examples of the dramatic irony that pervades *Hamlet*. The play's use of dramatic irony creates a sense of tension, suspense, and complexity, making the audience actively participate in the unfolding drama.