Answer to Question #106903 in English for Salma Álvarez

Question

In paragraph 515 of Act III, Abigail is described as reaching out, “out of her infinite charity,” to comfort the sobbing Mary. Explain why this phrase in the stage directions is an example of verbal irony

Answer 1

This act is ironic in that, Abigail is pretentious of a holy and righteous girl, despite the fact that she is responsible for causing the death of many people as a result of false accusations. At this scene, Abigail is trying to hug Mary, whom she persecuted in Act One as she is trying to tell the court the truth. Although it appears like a warm scene, the truth is that a murderess is welcoming back her co-conspirator into her evil plans.