Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-3-1-dramatic-irony [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers.md) › Dramatic Irony # Dramatic Irony English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers, topic 5.3.1 ## Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony occurs when the audience is aware of things that the characters on stage are not. ### Revealing the secret ![Revealing the secret](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/1b8ba991-4cf4-4345-97c2-aa53fc2c840a/secret-shh.jpg) - Mickey and Edward do not realise they are brothers until the final moments of their lives: - **“Mrs. Johnstone: Mickey. Don’t shoot Eddie. He’s your brother, You had a twin brother. I couldn’t afford to keep both of you. His mother couldn’t have kids. I agreed to give one of you away!”** (Act Two). - The boys are closer than they themselves realise. ### Linda's attraction to the brothers ![Linda's attraction to the brothers](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/01e081d3-9c7d-4d53-b271-76b523a4d4c8/man-woman-attraction-.jpg) - Linda goes through the whole play unaware that Mickey and Edward are brothers. - While Linda never fully understands her connection to the two brothers, the audience is able to understand why Linda seeks comfort with Edward when Mickey suffers a mental breakdown: perhaps Linda sees in Edward the things she loves about Mickey, without the damage caused by the trauma that Mickey carries around with him. ### Dramatic irony to enhance the sense of inevitability ![Dramatic irony to enhance the sense of inevitability](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/e32876a0-7e5b-48ec-817e-cdbe418beb4b/trans-sexuality-3554250_1920.jpg) - Mr. Lyons remains unaware of the origin of his son throughout the play. When Mrs. Lyons begins to show signs of poor mental health, he attributes it to “this depression thing” (Act Two), referring to post-natal depression. - Russell may have done this in order to highlight the distance between Mr. Lyons and his wife, showing the audience that, because of Mrs. Lyons’ deceit, he is never able to truly understand her feelings. ### Function of dramatic irony ![Function of dramatic irony](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/2426544d-6e26-47f9-aab2-ab68b4478c7d/couple-cinema-popcorn.jpg) - Russell’s use of dramatic irony creates suspense and adds intrigue to the play as the audience is drawn into the action. - Many audience members will feel a sense of longing to intervene and alter the course of events, and this feeling of helplessness adds to the play’s atmosphere of inevitability. ## Test yourself on Dramatic Irony [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/33ff5ba5-a517-4edd-9912-da9d9d7fc976/section/22573716-c5be-47ce-b678-5195467f3786/session) - Previous topic: [5.2.1 Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-2-1-tragedy.md) - Next topic: [5.4.1 Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-4-1-imagery.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Blood Brothers contents ### 1 Context & Author - 1.1 Context - [1.1.1 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-1-setting.md) - [1.1.2 Political Background](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-2-political-background.md) - [1.1.3 Education & Work](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-3-education-and-work.md) - [1.1.4 Marilyn Monroe & Pop Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-4-marilyn-monroe-and-pop-culture.md) - [1.1.5 Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-1-5-family.md) - 1.2 Author - [1.2.1 Willy Russell](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-2-1-willy-russell.md) - [1.2.2 End of Topic Test - Context & Author](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/1-2-2-end-of-topic-test-context-and-author.md) ### 2 Plot - 2.1 Act One - [2.1.1 Overview: Introduction to Mrs Johnstone & Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-1-overview-introduction-to-mrs-johnstone-and-lyons.md) - [2.1.2 Analysis: Introduction to Mrs. Johnston and Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-2-analysis-introduction-to-mrs-johnston-and-lyons.md) - [2.1.3 Overview: The Birth of Mickey & Edward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-3-overview-the-birth-of-mickey-and-edward.md) - [2.1.4 Analysis: The Birth of Mickey & Edward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-4-analysis-the-birth-of-mickey-and-edward.md) - [2.1.5 Overview: Mickey Playing at Home](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-5-overview-mickey-playing-at-home.md) - [2.1.6 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-6-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-seven-year-olds.md) - [2.1.7 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-7-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-seven-year-olds.md) - [2.1.8 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-8-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-seven-year-olds-2.md) - [2.1.9 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Seven-year-olds 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-9-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-seven-year-olds-2.md) - [2.1.10 End of Topic Test - Act One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-10-end-of-topic-test-act-one.md) - [2.1.11 End of Topic Test - Act One 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-1-11-end-of-topic-test-act-one-2.md) - 2.2 Act Two - [2.2.1 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-1-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers.md) - [2.2.2 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-2-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers.md) - [2.2.3 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-3-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers-2.md) - [2.2.4 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-4-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers-2.md) - [2.2.5 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-5-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers-3.md) - [2.2.6 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Teenagers 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-6-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-teenagers-3.md) - [2.2.7 Overview: Mickey & Edward as Adults](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-7-overview-mickey-and-edward-as-adults.md) - [2.2.8 Analysis: Mickey & Edward as Adults](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-8-analysis-mickey-and-edward-as-adults.md) - [2.2.9 End of Topic Test - Act Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-9-end-of-topic-test-act-two.md) - [2.2.10 End of Topic Test - Act Two 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/2-2-10-end-of-topic-test-act-two-2.md) ### 3 Characters - 3.1 Mickey - [3.1.1 Mickey](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-1-1-mickey.md) - [3.1.2 Mickey as a Damaged Adult](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-1-2-mickey-as-a-damaged-adult.md) - 3.2 Edward - [3.2.1 Edward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-2-1-edward.md) - [3.2.2 Edward 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-2-2-edward-2.md) - [3.2.3 End of Topic Test - Mickey & Edward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-2-3-end-of-topic-test-mickey-and-edward.md) - 3.3 Linda - [3.3.1 Linda](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-3-1-linda.md) - [3.3.2 Linda 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-3-2-linda-2.md) - 3.4 Mrs Johnstone - [3.4.1 Mrs Johnstone](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-4-1-mrs-johnstone.md) - [3.4.2 Mrs Johnstone 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-4-2-mrs-johnstone-2.md) - 3.5 Mrs Lyons - [3.5.1 Mrs Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-5-1-mrs-lyons.md) - [3.5.2 Mrs Lyons 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-5-2-mrs-lyons-2.md) - [3.5.3 End of Topic Test - Linda & Mothers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-5-3-end-of-topic-test-linda-and-mothers.md) - 3.6 Mr Lyons - [3.6.1 Mr Lyons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-6-1-mr-lyons.md) - 3.7 Sammy - [3.7.1 Sammy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-7-1-sammy.md) - 3.8 The Narrator - [3.8.1 The Narrator](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-8-1-the-narrator.md) - 3.9 Minor - [3.9.1 Minor Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-9-1-minor-characters.md) - [3.9.2 End of Topic Test - Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-9-2-end-of-topic-test-other-characters.md) - 3.10 End of Topic Sessions - [3.10.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/3-10-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) ### 4 Themes - 4.1 Parents & Children - [4.1.1 Parents & Children](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-1-1-parents-and-children.md) - 4.2 Growing Up - [4.2.1 Growing Up](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-2-1-growing-up.md) - 4.3 Friendship & Brotherhood - [4.3.1 Friendship & Brotherhood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-3-1-friendship-and-brotherhood.md) - [4.3.2 End of Topic Test - Parents, Growing Up, Friends](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-3-2-end-of-topic-test-parents-growing-up-friends.md) - 4.4 Fate & Superstition - [4.4.1 Fate & Superstition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-4-1-fate-and-superstition.md) - 4.5 Nature vs. Nurture - [4.5.1 Nature vs. Nurture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-5-1-nature-vs-nurture.md) - 4.6 Social Class - [4.6.1 Social Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-6-1-social-class.md) - [4.6.2 End of Topic Test - Fate, Upbringing & Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/4-6-2-end-of-topic-test-fate-upbringing-and-class.md) ### 5 Literary Techniques - 5.1 Structure - [5.1.1 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-1-1-structure.md) - 5.2 Tragedy - [5.2.1 Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-2-1-tragedy.md) - 5.3 Dramatic Irony - [5.3.1 Dramatic Irony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-3-1-dramatic-irony.md) - 5.4 Imagery - [5.4.1 Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-4-1-imagery.md) - 5.5 Character & Voice - [5.5.1 Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-5-1-character.md) - 5.6 Music & Lyrics - [5.6.1 Music & Lyrics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-6-1-music-and-lyrics.md) - 5.7 Accent & Dialect - [5.7.1 Accent & Dialect](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-7-1-accent-and-dialect.md) - [5.7.2 End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-7-2-end-of-topic-test-literary-techniques.md) - [5.7.3 End of Topic Test - Literary Techniques 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/blood-brothers/5-7-3-end-of-topic-test-literary-techniques-2.md)