Hallmark of a typical Greek tragedy

IRONY

Think of the twist when a character’s words or actions have the opposite effect of what they intended—common in stories where fate plays a cruel joke.

A Greek tragedy often hinges on dramatic irony, where the audience knows something the characters don’t—like a hero’s fatal flaw leading to their downfall. The word "hallmark" hints at a defining feature, and in this case, it’s the biting twist of irony that makes these stories so powerful. Think Oedipus unknowingly fulfilling a prophecy or a character’s pride sealing their fate—irony isn’t just present, it’s the engine of the tragedy.