Question

Which literary device is apparent in the bolded lines of Viola’s speech to the captain in act II, scene IV, of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night?

VIOLA: Too well what love women to men may owe:
In faith, they are as true of heart as we.
My father had a daughter loved a man,
As it might be, perhaps, were I a woman,
I should your lordship.
A. Farce
B.Puns
C. Dramatic irony
D. Satire

Answer 1

Answer: C. Dramatic irony.

This is a case of dramatic irony. Irony refers to a rhetorical device in which what appears, on the surface, to be the case, is in fact radically different from what is actually the case. It often relies on the reader (or audience) knowing more than the characters. In this case, the irony is that Viola is explaining how women feel love by describing her own experiences. However, because she is dressed as a man, Orsino does not realize this.

Answer 2

The literary device is apparent in the bolded lines of Viola’s speech to the captain in act II, scene IV, of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is letter C. Dramatic Irony. Dramatic irony refers to a literary technique in which the character's significance with his word or actions are clear but unknown to the character itself.