Representations of Irony in Metaphor, Perspective of Relevance Theory

This study aims to apply the principles and concepts of relevance theory in analyzing metaphor in Al-Mutanabbi's poetry and then revealing the purposes that metaphor performs in the perspective of relevance theory and revealing sites of irony and its role in deepening meaning. On the theoretical level, the study aims to define Cognitive linguistics, specifically relevance theory and explain the role of the metaphor in this theory, and the viewpoints on irony from the perspective of the relevance theory. The study concluded that the basic concepts in the relevance theory have a significant role in revealing the real purpose of the metaphorical poetic image and the impact it left on the recipient, which is reflected in the contents of irony. Key words: irony, metaphor, relevance theory, cognitive linguistics