Gender irony
Haywood presents an ironic view of a female character in this text. At the time she was writing, cunning characters were usually male, but here Haywood ironically presents Cleomelia as a manipulative character.
Cleomelia's beauty
Cleomelia's beauty leads men to attribute idealistic characteristics to her, such as innocence and sweetness. However, ironically Cleomelia is a cunning and manipulative character, who is motivated by a desire for wealth.
Irony of love
Love is presented as a force for good in many texts; however, Haywood has an ironic view of love in this text. She shows how sometimes people are truly motivated by other things, such as greed, and their romantic relationships are used as a means to achieve their aims.
Irony of marriage
Marriage is presented as a sacred institution in many texts written at this time. However, in this text marriage is ironically a means for Cleomelia to achieve her immoral aims.
Irony of Malaventure
Malaventure plans to travel to Bengal in order to search for a better life. However, the events of the text show that this was an ironic aim as his life is ultimately made more complicated by Cleomelia's antics.
