Satire

satire vs irony

irony is the difference between what is said/done and what is actually meant. THUS, writers employ satire to point at the dishonesty and silliness of individuals and society and criticize them by ridiculing them.

classifications of satire

1. horatian 2. juvenalian 3. menippean

satirical techniques

1. invective 2. irony 3. innuendo 4. inderstatement 5. parody 6. mock heroic/epic 7. comparison

what is satire

a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society by using humor, irony, and hyperbole. usually, a satire is a comical piece of writing which makes fun of an individual or a society to expose its stupidity and shortcomings.

satire differs from sarcasm, comedy, and irony...

Sarcasm (which is a caustic, biting tone) Comedy (which has no higher purpose) Irony (which is a literary device)

juvenalian

attacks, usually, public officials and governmental organizations. these opinions are seen as evil. this type of satire is more contemptuous and abrasive, using strong irony and sarcasm. AIMS to provoke change. OFTEN not humorous

horatian

clever, yet gentle. it ridicules universal human folly so that the reader might identify w what is being critiqued and laugh at them as well as at society

menippean

criticizes mental attitudes rather than societal norms or specific individuals. it often ridicules single-minded people, like bigots.

overall function of satire

the role of satire is to ridicule or criticize those vices in the society, which the writer considers a threat to civilization. The author considers it their obligation to expose these vices for the betterment of humanity. THUS the function of satire is not to make other people laugh at a person's ideas, it INTENDS to warn the public and to change their opinions about the prevailing corruption of society.

why do authors use satire? (generally)

usually it is used as a tool to share the author's ideas through the characters