Were you listening to NPR this morning when there was a discussion of this topic?  Reference was made to Act IV of King Lear when the blind Gloucester is told that he is standing at the edge of the White Cliffs of Dover.  He is not.  The actors know this.  The audience knows this.  Everyone goes along with it.  It’s called dramatic irony.

Lots of talk just now about a cliff we’re supposedly, blindly, standing at the edge of.  We’re not.  The leading players know this.  The audience (That would be us.) knows this.  Everyone goes along with it.  It’s called dramatic irony.

King Lear is a tragedy and, after the show, everyone claps and goes home. Next week the same cast will perform  Much Ado About Nothing.