Praising Florence (Verbal Irony)
When Dante criticizes the different Italian cities in Canto VI, he turns at last to Florence. While his comments on the citizens may seem positive at first, one slowly realizes that the praise is totally ironic: in reality, Dante is lambasting his fellow citizens.
Statius and Virgil (Dramatic Irony)
When Statius first joins Dante and Virgil, he is totally unaware that Virgil is Virgil. This creates a scene of dramatic irony in which readers (and Dante) know that Statius is praising Virgil to Virgil. The scene quickly becomes humorous as the dramatic irony is diffused.
Belacqua's Comments (Verbal Irony)
When Dante and Virgil encounter Belacqua, he is notably ironic in much of what he says, often using sarcasm and wit to subtly jab at Dante.
Dante's Silence (Situational Irony)
Although we may expect him to be able to talk to Beatrice when he encounters her, given his evident skill as a man of words, Dante is conspicuously laconic and even struggles to speech. This irony upends our understanding of Dante and reveals the extent to which his love for Beatrice and the need for repentance connected to that love overwhelm his wit.
