Don Quixote

Irony is expressed in many forms as demonstrated in Don Quixote. For example, during the dinner with the Duke, Duchess, Sancho, and Don Quixote, the Duke and Duchess pretend to be higher in a social status than everyone else, and continue to feed lies to Sancho. The Duchess, although appears to not be such a maleficent character, ironically gains pleasure from this act. Second, the quotation "I shall never be fool enough to turn knight-errant. For I see quite well that it’s not the fashion now to do as they did in the olden days when they say those famous knights roamed the world," explains another form of irony well. It is ironic that although the innkeeper recognizes this, as do others in the story, they either still stay, such as Sancho, or encourage the knight-errant, as the priest does. Even though these characters know that it is outdated and not worth the time, they ironically still encourage Don Quixote to continue this lifestyle for pleasure to themselves. Finally, irony appears through the final lines between Sancho and Don Quixote.  Sancho speaks, "Great hearts, my dear master, should be patient in misfortune as well as joyful in prosperity,". This quote demonstrates the ultimate sense of irony, as the pair literally reverse roles. Instead of Don Quixote tutoring Sancho with words of wisdom, it is the complete opposite. Sancho continues to address Don Quixote as "master" as in his level of respect, however he is really proving his maturity and change in character at the conclusion of the story.