Irony as "gabbo" (mockery)
One of the episodes described by Dante is that of the "gabbo." It is a topos of courtly literature, which sees the lover the object of mockery and ridicule by people and the beloved woman herself. In the Vita Nova, in particular, Dante is mocked by some women who accompany Beatrice to a wedding banquet at which they are both present.
Irony of the backbiters
Dante's feeling for Beatrice is obvious to all fellow citizens. For this reason, Dante is forced to use the literary device of the screen-woman, to whom he dedicates several poems in order to conceal his love for Beatrice. The backbiters, in fact, are all those present who, noticing Dante's love interest for another woman, report it to Beatrice who, indignantly, denies the poet a greeting.
Irony of Beatrice
Beatrice, Dante's beloved woman, derides the poet on numerous occasions throughout the work; famous is the episode of the "gabbo," in which the woman and some of her friends mock Dante, but, in particular, it is in denying her greeting to the man that Beatrice proves most ironic and most cruel. In Comedy, Beatrice will also take this attitude.
Dante's bitter irony
In the Vita Nuova, Dante laments his own condition of suffering; he is in love, so he suffers from love and its effects, but he also suffers from his human condition, thus is imperfect and prone to sin. The realization that he is a human being, corruptible, and vulnerable (especially following Beatrice's death) is the object of bitter irony on the part of the poet.
Irony of Love
In Vita Nova, love, besides being a feeling, is personified. It becomes a character. This personification creates a super character, more powerful than others and able to mock those who suffer its effects (among which are fainting spells, visions and premonitory dreams). Dante, protagonist and author, is a victim of love's effects, being in love with Beatrice. His feeling makes him vulnerable to amorous mockery on several occasions throughout the work. Amore himself, appearing to him for the first time with Beatrice sleeping in his arms, makes it clear to him how weak he is compared to the strength of his feeling (the Latin phrase "Ego Dominus Tuus," which translates to, "I am your lord," is emblematic). Amore's mockery also causes the other characters in Florence, realizing Dante's love for Beatrice, to mock the poet.
