The article examines irony as a complex poetic, semantic, and pragmatic phenomenon in literary texts, focusing on its functions and classifications in the works of John Dryden. The study explains that irony appears at different textual levels, including verbal expression, situational contrast, dramatic structure, and historical-political context. Drawing on the theories of Wayne C. Booth, Linda Hutcheon, D. C. Muecke, and H. P. Grice, the chapter analyzes irony as both a stylistic and interpretive process. Particular attention is given to Dryden’s satirical works such as Absalom and Achitophel and Mac Flecknoe, where irony functions as a tool of political satire, literary criticism, allegory, and moral commentary. The article also identifies major forms of irony, including verbal, situational, and dramatic irony, and establishes a theoretical framework for further analysis of Dryden’s poetic style and satirical poetics.

irony, satirical poetics, verbal irony, situational irony, dramatic irony, political satire, pragmatic meaning, literary criticism, allegory, contextual analysis, poetic discourse

Booth, W. C. A Rhetoric of Irony. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1974.

Hutcheon, L. Irony's Edge: The Theory and Politics of Irony. London: Routledge, 1994.

Dryden, J. The Works of John Dryden. Ed. H. T. Swedenberg. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1956–2000.

Dryden, J. Absalom and Achitophel. London: Oxford University Press, 2008.

Dryden, J. Mac Flecknoe and Other Satires. London: Penguin Classics, 2004.

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Bloom, H. John Dryden. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987.