Satire Background Satire comes from the Latin term

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