What is irony? How is it different from antithesis and ambiguity? [MEG 101 CHAUCER]

Irony is a literary device in which the actual meaning of a word or situation is different from the intended or expected meaning. It involves the use of language to convey a meaning opposite to what is actually expressed. For example, a fire station burning down is an example of irony.

Antithesis, on the other hand, is a rhetorical device that involves the use of contrasting words or phrases in a sentence to create a contrasting effect. For example, "To be or not to be" is an antithesis, as it contrasts the two opposite states of being.

Ambiguity, on the other hand, is a situation where a word or phrase can have multiple meanings or interpretations. It is often used deliberately by writers to create multiple layers of meaning. For example, the sentence "I saw her duck" is ambiguous, as it can mean either that the speaker saw the woman duck down or that the speaker saw a duck that belongs to the woman.

In summary, while irony involves a contrast between actual and intended meaning, antithesis involves a contrast between contrasting words or phrases, and ambiguity involves multiple possible meanings or interpretations.