dramatic irony is when the audience is in on a secret that the characters on stage/in the movie/in the story do not know.
This creates tension and suspense as the audience watches the characters unknowingly make decisions that could lead to unforeseen consequences. It can also create humor in situations where the audience knows something the characters do not, leading to misunderstandings or miscommunications.
For example, in Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows that Juliet is not actually dead when Romeo finds her seemingly lifeless body, but he does not, leading to tragic consequences. In horror movies, the audience often knows where the killer is hiding, creating a sense of anticipation and fear as the characters unknowingly walk into danger.
Overall, dramatic irony is a powerful literary device that can enhance the audience's understanding of a story and create tension and emotional impact.