What literary device is employed when someone is aware of a character’s fate while the character is not?

Dramatic irony is a literary device that occurs when the audience or reader has knowledge about a situation or the fate of a character that the character themselves is unaware of. This creates a sense of tension or anticipation, as the audience knows more than the character and often can foresee the consequences of the character's actions. This device can enhance emotional engagement, as viewers may feel sympathy, frustration, or even excitement as they anticipate the moment when the character will either discover the truth or face the consequences of their ignorance. In contrast, foreshadowing hints at future events but does not create the same dynamic of knowledge disparity, while verbal irony involves a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, and characterization refers to the creation and development of characters in a narrative.