Satire

Background

• Satire comes from the Latin term in lanx satura, which means “a dish filled with mixed fruits”

• Satire was developed in ancient Greece, with writers such as Aristophanes, Juvenal, Horace, Martial, and Petronius.

• It persisted throughout the Middle Ages in Europe.

Definition

Satire – a work in any medium that uses humor and wit to expose problems with humanity or society

Defining Characteristics

• The creator of the work infuses it with humor. This humor oftentimes is dry or subtle.

• The “poking fun” is intended to inspire change in society. – It is not a mere attack – this would be

invective instead of satire.– It does not take a “woe is me” attitude – this

would be an irony or Jeremiad.

• Many works of satire deal with fools, oafs, and frauds.

• Usually, the individual is spared – the satirist is poking fun at a specific group of people or element of society.

• Satire’s rule of thumb: “Pass over a single foe to charge whole armies.”

Kinds of Satire

• There are two classification criteria for satire– Formal vs. Informal Satire

• Does the author/narrator speak directly or are they more subtle?

• Is the work an essay or a narrative?

– Horatian versus Juvenalian• Is the humor light-hearted or cruel?• Is the mood of the work upbeat or angry?

Formal or Direct Satire

– The author or narrator speaks directly to the reader

– Usually in the first person– Almost always essay format, but

sometimes done in narrative– Examples: Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest

Proposal,” numerous writings of Mark Twain

Informal or Indirect Satire

– The author pokes fun by showing ridiculous characters and their actions

– Usually a narrative centered around bumbling buffoons, idiots, etc.

– Most great works of literary satire are indirect

– Examples: Carl Hiaasen’s Sick Puppy, works of George Orwell

Horatian Satire

• Named after Greek poet Horace

• More upbeat humor

• Usually gentle and urbane

• Tries to evoke reactions of sympathetic laughter

Juvenalian Satire

• Named after the Greek poet Juvenal• Biting, scathing, and bitter• Usually deals with corruption of and

contempt for individuals or elements of society

• Most political satire is Juvenalian• By far the most common mood of satire

Tools of the Satirist

• Parody – mocking a well-known or traditional style by changing it for humorous effect– Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart– Horace Miner– “Weird Al” Yankovic– Austin Powers, Scary Movie

• Invective – sharp, angry, biting language• Farce – ridiculous, exaggerated situations• Sarcasm – biting, witty, mocking remarks