Your Example:
• Summary of Scene: In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the audience knows that Juliet is not truly dead but has taken a sleeping potion to escape an arranged marriage. However, Romeo believes she is dead and, in his despair, decides to take his own life beside her.
• How Dramatic Irony Affects the Scene: The dramatic irony heightens the emotional intensity of the scene as the audience is fully aware of Juliet's plan, while Romeo is tragically unaware. This knowledge causes the audience to feel a deep sense of dread and impending sorrow as they watch Romeo prepare to take his life, knowing that the moment could have been prevented if he had only known the truth. This irony magnifies the tragedy of their love story, leading to a profound loss that resonates with the audience, as they realize the couple's fate was sealed by a series of misunderstandings and the cruel hand of fate.