Verbal irony is an excellent tool of the writing trade. It allows readers to exercise a little bit of perception and omniscience. This type of irony occurs when a speaker says one thing but means another. Many people consider verbal irony to be akin to sarcasm.
Examples of Verbal Irony from Literature
Example #1: Romeo & Juliet (By William Shakespeare) ...
Example #2: Pride & Prejudice (By Jane Austen) ...
Example #3: The Unknown Citizen (By W. H. Auden) ...
Example #4: Oedipus Rex (By Sophocles) ...
Example #5: A Modest Proposal (By Jonathan Swift)