Irony in A Midsummer Night's Dream

In “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, the dramatic irony that is displayed accentuates the power imbalance between Oberon and the other characters. In Act III, the atrocious results of Oberon’s attempted manipulation of the Athenian’s love have shown itself. Oberon and Puck are the only ones who know that the characters’ eyes were anointed, while the lovers think that they have dramatically changed overnight.  “[Oberon to Puck] What hast thou done? Thou hast mistaken quite,...Some true love turned, and not a false turned true…I'll charm his eyes against she do appear,” (III.I.88,91, 99). Not only does Oberon have the capability to spy on them and use the flower to change their views of each other, he is able to do that undetected, thereby extending his capabilities and power over the lovers. Later on, in scene II, Oberon is fixing everything by manipulating the lovers and returning them to their normal states. “[Oberon to Puck]Like to Lysander sometimes frame thy tongue, Then stir Demetrius up with bitter wrong,...When they next wake, all this derision Shall seem a dream and fruitlemeaningless illusion,” (III.I.361-362, 371-372). In that quote, Oberon orders Puck to mimic Demetrius and Lysander to trick both of them, so he could anoint their eyes again, so they wouldn’t think that anything had happened to them. Oberon’s capabilities are put on display here, as he is able to aggravate the lovers to escalate the situation in order to restore the former situation. In summary, the use of dramatic irony exaggerates the power relationship between Oberon and the lovers. It exacerbates the power that he has as he is the only one who knows the entirety of the situation and is able to manipulate the lovers without them knowing.