What is it called when the audience or reader is aware of more than the characters in a story?

The term that describes a situation in which the audience or reader possesses knowledge that surpasses that of the characters within the narrative is known as dramatic irony. This literary device creates a contrast between what the characters believe or understand and what the audience knows to be true. It enhances the emotional impact of the story, as readers are often left anticipating the characters' reactions to situations they are unaware of, which can lead to tension, humor, or poignancy, depending on the context.

Dramatic irony is frequently employed in various forms of storytelling, from plays to novels, and is particularly evident in works where misunderstanding or a lack of communication forms the crux of the conflict. This device deepens the reader's involvement in the narrative, as they bridge the gap between the characters' perspectives and the overarching truth of the situation.

The other concepts, such as situational irony, verbal irony, and cosmic irony, deal with different kinds of discrepancies and expectations but do not involve the audience's knowledge contrasting with that of characters in the same way that dramatic irony does.