The Adulterous Noblewoman
It is a situational irony that Saint Aignan’s wife had multiple affairs. This is because the two were married and as such it is expected that married people should be faithful to their partners rather than step out on their partners who they claim to love. Saint Aignan’s wife had an affair with the church bishop and various young gentlemen.
Irony of the Quality of Witnesses
It is a situational irony that when Saint Aignan killed his wife’s lover Du Mesnil, the witnesses were servants and he knew that their eye witness accounts would not be accepted because of their status. This is ironical because the reader expects that every person be treated equal in the eyes of the law. The assumption that servants were not credible witnesses because of their lower social status is ironical.
Saint Aignan’s Pardon
It is ironical that Saint Aignan was pardoned by the king for killing Du Mesnil. This is ironical because the king pardoned him because of his (the king) political reasons. The king did not consider the suffering and justice that was being sought by the family of Du Mesnil.
The Mule driver’s cruelty to his master’s wife
It is ironical that a mule driver who had been working for a certain family for a while raped and killed his mistress. This is ironical because the family was kind and appreciative towards his work whereas he was cruel toward them just because he wanted to sate his sexual desires.
The Affair of the King of Naples
It is a situational irony that when the King of Naples made acquaintance with a certain gentleman, he lusted after his wife and had an affair with her. This is ironical because the gentleman was a friend of the king and he (the king) had betrayed his friend by having a love affair with his wife.
