Death is personified in the story in many ways. The first example of personification is when the Tavern-Knave says this about the three rioters' dead friend "There came a privy thief, they call him death, who kills us all round here, and in a breath he speared [your friend] through …show more content…
Irony-the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. One example of situational irony occurs when the three men, following the old man's direction arrive at the oak tree where they expect to find death. Instead find a big bag full of treasure that they all want for themselves,They plan on killing each other for the treasure. It is ironic that these three men find a treasure instead and they die as a result. Another example is verbal irony. When the three rioters swore to protect each other and destroy death, but ended up killing each other."Hold up your hands, like me, and we'll be brothers in this affair, and each defend the others".(Chaucer, ll.94-95).The first example is dramatic irony. When the three rioters got to the oak tree they found some gold florins, they sent the younger men to town to get some wine and some bread. "You know our friend has gone to get us supplies and here's a lot of gold that is to be divided equally among us three. Nevertheless, if I could shape things thus so that we shared it out- the two of us - wouldn't you take it as a friendly act?" (Chaucer ll.204-209). " Now look; when he comes back, get up in fun to have a wrestle; then, as you attack, ill up and put my dagger through his back while you and he are struggling, as in game; then draw your dagger too and do the same." (Chaucer ll.220-224). "The youngest as he ran towards the