From the standpoint of antiquity, the term irony expresses consciousness operating with the forms of expression totally opposite to the expressed idea. In other words, a verbal form is always contradictory to the idea the expression of which this form accomplishes. The forms of expression always contradict the expressed idea.

The irony of antiquity has a definite purpose serving the manifestation of some sublime purpose. The idea here has the prime significance and value. And this idea is always greater and more important than the form of its expression, however perfect it may be. So is with Plato, and so is with Aristotle. Plato, reasoning from his philosophical theses, once more emphasizes the fact that the ideal spiritual world actively affects human consciousness and determines basic parameters of its existence. And with Aristotle, irony is the basic characteristic trait and means of expression of the perfection of a free human being.

The above characterized "seriousness" in the antiquity consciousness doesn’t prevent irony from being playful by its nature. It is a powerful tool for the aesthetic world outlook characteristic of an ironic person.

And finally, the following must be noted – in the epoch of antiquity irony and Socrates represented the notions so inseparable that they had never been comprehended and imagined apart. Irony was connected with the name of Socrates so closely that when Socrates was spoken about, there always, even on the intuitive level, was implied irony, and vise versa – during studies on irony this notion always was mostly identified with the name of Socrates.