What literary device contrasts the audience's knowledge with that of a character?

The literary device that contrasts the audience's knowledge with that of a character is irony. Irony often involves situations where the audience knows more about the circumstances or the true nature of events than the characters do. This creates a sense of dramatic tension and engagement, as viewers or readers anticipate the reactions of the characters once they discover the truth.

In literature, irony can manifest in various forms, including situational irony, verbal irony, and dramatic irony. Dramatic irony, in particular, is where the audience has knowledge that the character lacks, leading to heightened emotional responses, suspense, or humor, depending on the context. This contrast enhances the storytelling experience by allowing the audience to connect with the narrative on a deeper level, understanding the implications of characters' actions or decisions that the characters themselves do not comprehend.

The other options do not fulfill this role in the same way. Unreliable narrators may distort the truth but do not inherently create the contrast of knowledge. Understatement downplays certain aspects for effect but does not create a disparity in knowledge. Repetition emphasizes particular points or ideas but does not involve contrasting knowledge between the audience and the characters.