In "The Tempest," Shakespeare uses irony in order to humor the audience. The ignorance of the characters, combined with the virtual omniscience of the audience, embellishes the play with inherent humor that makes "The Tempest" one of Shakespeare's greater works.

During the beginning of the play, Prospero brought up Gonzalo, his faithful councilor that provided him with books, food, and clothing during their time of need. Upon hearing that, Miranda proclaimed, "Would I might/But ever see that man." (Act 1, Scene 2 Lines 168-169) Unbeknownst by her, Gonzalo was actually on the island struggling to persuade the King that his son, Ferdinand, was still alive. In Act II Scene I, Sebastian told Alonso that Ferdinand was "gone."(Line 263) However, the audience and the readers know that Ferdinand was alive and well flirting with Miranda. Later in this Act, we see a drunk Stefano and Trinculo under the belief that...