How are irony and wit related? Is irony necessarily devoid of sympathy? Discuss, with examples [MEG 101 CHAUCER]

Irony and wit are related in that they both involve a play on words or an unexpected twist of meaning. Irony often involves saying the opposite of what is meant, while wit involves making clever, often humorous, observations or connections.

Irony is not necessarily devoid of sympathy. In fact, it can often be used to convey sympathy or understanding of a situation. For example, in Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," the character of the Pardoner is portrayed as greedy and hypocritical, but Chaucer's use of irony in the portrayal of the Pardoner also reveals a deeper sympathy for the character and his struggles with his own moral failings.

Irony can also be used to convey a sense of humor or playfulness, as in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," where much of the humor comes from the characters' use of ironic statements and actions.

Antithesis, on the other hand, involves the use of contrasting or opposite ideas or phrases for rhetorical effect. It is a deliberate contrast between two things, often used to emphasize the differences between them. For example, in Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities," the famous opening sentence uses antithesis to contrast the peacefulness of the countryside with the chaos of the city.

Ambiguity, meanwhile, involves a lack of clarity or uncertainty in meaning. It can be intentional or unintentional and can be used to create a sense of mystery or to allow for multiple interpretations of a work. Unlike irony, which involves a deliberate twist of meaning, ambiguity is often unintentional and can be the result of unclear language or a lack of context.