Here's how it works:
* The audience is aware of information that a character is not. This creates a sense of suspense and anticipation, as the audience knows what is going to happen, but the character does not.
* The character's actions or words can be humorous or tragic depending on the situation. The audience might be laughing at the character's naivety, or feeling a sense of dread as they watch the character unknowingly approach danger.
Examples:
* In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows that Romeo and Juliet are alive and in love, but the characters think they are dead. This creates a sense of tragedy and pathos.
* In the movie "The Sixth Sense," the audience knows that Malcolm Crowe is a ghost, but he does not realize it until the end of the film. This creates a sense of mystery and suspense.
Other common literary techniques:
* Irony: A general term for a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.
* Situational Irony: When the outcome of a situation is the opposite of what is expected.
* Verbal Irony: When someone says something that means the opposite of what they actually mean.
* Foreshadowing: When the author hints at what will happen in the future.
* Symbolism: When an object or event represents something else.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or explanations of any of these techniques!