Satire
A genre using ridicule to expose societal flaws.
Satire is a genre of the visual, literary, and performing arts, usually in the form of fiction and less frequently non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule. Although often humorous, its greater purpose is constructive social criticism, using wit to draw attention to particular and wider issues in society. Satire is found in many artistic forms, including internet memes, literature, plays, commentary, music, film, television, and lyrics.
- first_critic_to_use_modern_broader_sense
- Isaac Casaubon
Lore & Background
The word satire comes from the Latin satura and the phrase lanx satura, meaning 'a full dish of various kinds of fruits.' The use of lanx in this phrase is disputed by B.L. Ullman. The word satura as used by Quintilian denoted only Roman verse satire in hexameter form, a narrower genre than later intended. Quintilian famously said that satire in hexameter verses was a literary genre of wholly Roman origin. The first critic to use the term in the modern broader sense is generally attributed to later writers such as Isaac Casaubon, not Quintilian. By about the 4th century AD, the writer of satires came to be known as satiricus. In the 17th century, philologist Isaac Casaubon first disputed the etymology of satire from satyr, contrary to earlier belief.
Reader's Guide
Satire is a diverse genre complex to classify, commonly categorized as Horatian, Juvenalian, or Menippean. Horatian satire, named for Horace, playfully criticizes social vice through gentle, light-hearted humor, aiming to heal with smiles. Juvenalian satire, named for Juvenal, is more contemptuous and abrasive, addressing perceived social evil through scorn, outrage, and savage ridicule, often to provoke political or societal change. Satire has historically satisfied the popular need to debunk leading figures in politics, economy, religion, and other realms of power, confronting public discourse and acting as a counterweight to authority. The state of political satire in a given society reflects its tolerance or intolerance and the state of civil liberties and human rights; under totalitarian regimes, satire is suppressed.
Did You Know?
- Laughter is not an essential component of satire; some types are not meant to be 'funny' at all.
- The organizers of the Ig Nobel Prize describe satire's effect as 'first make people laugh, and then make them think'.
- Satire and irony have been regarded as the most effective source to understand a society, the oldest form of social study.
- In ancient Greece, philosopher Socrates referred a friend to the plays of Aristophanes to understand Athenian society.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Satire?
Satire is a narrative genre found across visual arts, literature, and performance that targets human vices, follies, and societal abuses through ridicule. It most commonly takes the shape of fiction, though non-fiction satirical works also appear.
What are Satire's powers/role?
Its core mechanism is wit and humor wielded to spotlight specific and broader flaws in society. While it frequently entertains, its deeper function is constructive social criticism rather than simple comedy.
How does Satire's story end?
Satire does not follow a fixed plot arc; its 'resolution' is the moment of recognition it provokes in the audience. The aim is to shift perspective on a vice or abuse, not to tie up a narrative thread.
Why is Satire important?
It acts as a versatile vehicle for social commentary that spans virtually every medium, from internet memes and song lyrics to plays, film, and television. That cross-platform adaptability keeps it one of the most persistent tools of cultural critique.
Who first defined Satire in its modern broader sense?
The scholar Isaac Casaubon is credited as the first critic to employ the expanded, modern meaning of the term. Prior to his work, the word carried a narrower classical connotation.
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