The Ironies of the Godfather

It often occurs when what is said is the exact opposite of what is meant , or it can take the form of hyperbole or understatement . A scene late in The Godfather provides an example of this kind of irony Michael , the new leader of the Corleone crime family , has decided to kill all the members of the family who were disloyal in the recent war with the Sollozzo family . Tessio is one of those disloyal family members targeted for elimination , though he doesn 't know it . The scene opens as Tessio cheerfully tells

someone on the phone that he 's on his way to Brooklyn with the family lawyer , Hagen . Hagen knows that Tessio 's demise is only moments away . Tessio says "I hope Michael can get us a good deal tonight " referring to a scheme he 's planning (Puzo . Hagen replies "I 'm sure he will " referring to the murder of the traitorous Tessio that takes places momentarily (Puzo . Because the line conceals Hagen 's meaning and understates the significance of the murder by likening it to a "good deal " Hagen 's words are an example of verbal irony

Dramatic irony occurs when a character speaks or behaves in a way that the audience knows is not in accordance with the truth . The author of a drama can advocate for a certain position or point of view by making a degenerate or dishonest character advocate for the opposite position But dramatic irony can also be used to create dramatic tension , to manipulate the audience 's emotions by letting the audience know something the characters do not . Just such an example of dramatic irony occurs in a scene midway through The Godfather . The audience knows that a corrupt police captain , McCluskey , and a rival mob boss , Sollozzo have conspired to...