Which literary term describes a mismatch between what a character knows and what the audience knows?

• A. Pathos
• B. Catharsis
• C. Tragic flaw
• D. Dramatic irony

Answer: (D)

Dramatic irony describes a situation where the audience knows something the character does not, so we understand the stakes or consequences before the character does. This gap between what the audience knows and what the character knows creates tension and anticipation as we watch the scene unfold with that extra awareness. For example, the audience might know a secret plan or a hidden danger while a character acts unaware, which can heighten suspense or irony. Pathos is about appealing to emotions like pity or sadness, catharsis is the emotional release the audience experiences, and a tragic flaw is a character defect that leads to a downfall. None of those focus on the audience’s extra knowledge in the same way, so dramatic irony is the best fit for describing this mismatch.