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Definition of Verbal Irony
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. When there's a hurricane raging outside and someone remarks "what... read full definition
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean. When there's a hurricane raging... read full definition
Verbal irony occurs when the literal meaning of what someone says is different from—and often opposite to—what they actually mean... read full definition
The Third Epoch: Part 4, Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Veni, Vidi, Vici:
In his narrative portion, Count Fosco briefly touches on his visit to Mr. Fairlie. Instead of going into detail about their conversation, he alludes to Julius Caesar and the famous declaration he made on his defeat of Pharnaces:
When I have mentioned that this gentleman was equally feeble in mind and body, and that I let loose the whole force of my character on him, I have said enough. I came, saw, and conquered Fairlie.
Julius Ceasar is believed to have used the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici" ("I came, I saw, I conquered") to boastfully describe his swift victory following a short war with Pharnaces. The Latin phrase has since been heavily quoted in military contexts, literature, and art, and is thereby somewhat of a cliche.
Although he is usually a rather verbose character and narrator, Count Fosco does not waste much ink on describing his meeting with Mr. Fairlie. The reader has already received a more detailed summary of it from Mr. Fairlie himself—and besides, at this late point in the novel, the reader is very familiar with Mr. Fairlie's character and, as a result, most likely finds some humor in this brief recapitulation of the meeting. The allusion feels simultaneously eloquent and trite, and it expresses Count Fosco's impatience and irritation with a man like Mr. Fairlie.
The allusion is comical because, by now, the reader has seen and heard enough of the weak and fussy Mr. Fairlie to know that conquering him is no great feat. Count Fosco knows this just as well as the reader, so he uses verbal irony to underscore the point—the irony of the allusion is certainly intentional. Just like Caesar used the phrase to indicate that his battle was easily won, Count Fosco is snarky about the ease with which he got Mr. Fairlie to do exactly what he wanted.
