The Irony of Mother Swayer being a Witch
Mother Swayer declares, “Some call me witch,/And being ignorant of myself, they go/About to teach me how to be one/That my bad tongue-by their bad usage made so-Forspeaks.” Critics consider Mother Swayer to be a witch yet she is not. If mother Swayer were a dangerous witch, she would not have required the critics’ teaching on how to be a witch. Manifestly, Mother Swayer appeals to a self-fulfilling prophecy by learning to be a witch so that she can confirm that she is one (a witch), since that is what she is regarded to be.
The Irony of “I might bring both myself and her to beggary?”
Sir Arthur questions Frank, “Will you be honest yet, Make her amend and marry her?” Frank replies, “So, sir, I might bring both myself and her beggary; And that would be a shame than the other.” Frank’s retort is ironic because it insinuates that Frank is not yet married to Winnifred. However, they are already married. The ironic rejoinder is envisioned to safeguard the confidentiality of Frank and Winfred’s matrimony.
