What is cosmic irony?

Cosmic irony, also known as irony of fate or irony of circumstances, is a literary device in which supreme forces, such as fate or the universe, conspire to create a situation where the outcome is often the opposite of what was expected or intended. In cosmic irony, events unfold in a way that seems to mock human desires, actions, or beliefs.

This type of irony often highlights the unpredictability and randomness of life, as well as the limitations of human control and understanding. It is often used in literature to underscore themes of destiny, mortality, or the insignificance of individual actions in the grand scheme of things.

Examples of cosmic irony can be found in many works of literature, such as in the ancient Greek tragedies where characters struggle against a predetermined fate, or in more modern works like O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," where characters' actions unwittingly lead to ironic outcomes.