Satire

Definition

Satire is a genre of literature and performing arts that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize and expose the flaws or shortcomings of individuals, society, or institutions. By highlighting absurdities and inconsistencies, satire aims to provoke thought and promote change through laughter and reflection.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Restoration comedy often employed satire to mock the social norms and moral standards of its time, focusing on themes like marriage, class distinctions, and sexual politics.
2. Oscar Wilde's works, particularly 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' utilized satire to critique Victorian society's hypocrisy and rigid social conventions.
3. George Bernard Shaw's plays combined satire with serious social critique, addressing issues like poverty and gender equality while maintaining a humorous tone.
4. Satire in the English Renaissance was evident through playwrights like Ben Jonson, who used his sharp wit to challenge political and social structures of his time.
5. Commedia dell'arte employed elements of satire through stock characters and exaggerated scenarios that reflected societal norms and human vices, influencing later forms of comedic theater.

Review Questions

• How did satire function in Restoration comedy to address societal issues of the time?
  • In Restoration comedy, satire served as a powerful tool to critique societal norms and behaviors. Playwrights used humor and exaggeration to expose the follies of the upper class, their hypocrisy in matters of love and morality, and the rigid class structures of the time. By entertaining audiences with witty dialogue and absurd situations, they invited reflection on the prevailing attitudes that governed society.
• Discuss how Oscar Wilde's use of satire in his plays reflects the values and contradictions of Victorian society.
  • Oscar Wilde masterfully employed satire to expose the contradictions inherent in Victorian society. Through sharp wit and clever dialogue, he criticized the hypocrisy of social conventions regarding marriage, class, and morality. His characters often embodied the very absurdities he sought to highlight, creating a humorous yet biting commentary on how societal expectations could lead to both farce and tragedy.
• Evaluate how George Bernard Shaw's integration of satire into social problem plays impacted audiences' perceptions of contemporary social issues.
  • George Bernard Shaw's integration of satire into his social problem plays significantly influenced audience perceptions by challenging them to confront uncomfortable truths about society. By blending humor with serious critiques on issues such as poverty, women's rights, and class inequality, Shaw engaged audiences in meaningful discussions. His ability to entertain while prompting critical thought allowed his works to resonate deeply with audiences, encouraging them to question the status quo and advocate for social reform.

Related terms

Parody: A humorous or satirical imitation of a particular work, style, or genre, often exaggerating its features to ridicule or comment on it.

Irony: A rhetorical device where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning, often used in satire to create humor or highlight contradictions.

Social Commentary: The act of using artistic expression to provide insight or critique about social issues and human behavior.