“Poetic justice” refers to a situation in literature or real life where virtue is ultimately rewarded, and vice is punished, often in a manner that is particularly fitting or ironic. It’s a concept that suggests a moral order to the universe, where good and evil are eventually balanced out.
In literature, poetic justice can manifest as a character who behaves immorally or unjustly facing a consequence that is ironically appropriate. For example, a greedy character might lose everything they have acquired through unethical means, or a cruel person might suffer in a way that mirrors their own actions.
Would you like a specific example from literature or an explanation of how poetic justice is used in storytelling?