It is an artistic form in which individual or human vices, abuses, or shortcomings are criticized using certain characteristics or methods. Usually found in dramas and literature, but it is popping up in modern media forms such as cartoons, film, and other visual arts. Satire is used to encourage the public to view human faults or morally unacceptable behaviors as humorous and ridiculous. It is also used to encourage changes in current issues or to discourage current public behaviors. There are two main types: Horatian and Juvenalian
Playfully criticizes vices with wit, exaggeration, gentle and light hearted humor Issues being criticized are viewed as folly rather than evil to society and meant to make us laugh Looking to make people laugh at themselves, rather than looking for changes to occur.
Has a more abrasive tone Criticizes social evils or corruption through scorn, outrage, and savage ridicule More often pessimistic, using sharp sarcasm to criticize social issues Generally related to political satires Focuses on morals rather than humor
Irony (verbal, situational, dramatic) Analogy Oxymoron Sarcasm Hyperbole / Exaggeration Understatement Juxtaposition Parody/Spoofing Burlesque Double Entendres/Pun Anachronism Antithesis Anticlimax
When a person says or writes one thing but means another Whatever is said/written is the opposite of the literal meaning Verbal irony is often stated in the form of a metaphor or simile. Comparisons and contrasts are used to create a visualization for the listener or reader. Examples: It is as sunny as day in winter in Alaska. He's as nice as a lion to his prey. This chair is as comfortable as sitting on nails.
Situational irony occurs when the final outcome is contradictory to what was expected. Usually, the episodes in the plot of a story will lead the audience to expect a particular resolution or ending. If such an expected outcome fails and instead another contrary outcome occurs, the absurdity is termed situational irony. Examples: A fire station burns down The marriage counselor files for divorce The police station gets robbed
The reader/viewer knows something important/secret that the characters don t (can be about past, present, or future) Shakespeare is king of this! (Romeo thinks Juliet is dead, but we know better!) Other examples: Two people are engaged to be married but the audience knows that the man is planning to run away with another woman. In a scary movie, the character walks into a house and the audience knows the killer is in the house. Sometimes a person is in disguise and the other character talks with him as if he is someone else. Since this is known by the audience, it adds to the humor of the dialogue.
Two things that seem different, but can be compared in likeness because they have similar characteristics Can be based on people, situations, or objects
Figure of speech that combines contradictory words or phrases something that is surprisingly true Usually an adjective-noun combination Some oxymorons may be incorrect, but established to suggest a joke (Ex. Business Ethics or Military Intelligence)
Sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter jibe or taunt shown through irony or understatement. Witty comments meant to amuse. Possibly used to cause pain or make a point.
An extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended on being taken literally. Meant to encourage strong feelings or impressions to make an effect.
Takes a real-life situation and reducing it to make it ridiculous and showcase its faults, or it can make the situation seem less important than it really is. For example, you win 10 million dollars in a lottery. When you tell a news reporter I am delighted, you are making an understatement. Example: giving the nickname tiny to a 350 pound man, or describing him as not the smallest guy in the room. An understatement usually has an ironic effect (similar to situational irony) as an equally intense response is expected in severe situations but the statement in response is the opposite of what was expected. Example: Your friend returns your new coat with blots all over it; in response, you make an understatement: It doesn t look too bad. Therefore, an understatement is opposite to hyperbole. 12
Placement of two things (usually abstract concepts, but sometimes physical objects) near each other. Used to compare or contrast two items in one setting or work of literature to add emphasis in one way or another.
Something created in order to mock, comment on, or trivialize a certain author, subject matter, style, or some other issue in a humorous manner. Is many times used in a playful manner as well, meant to be lighthearted and to poke fun at.
Similar to parody, it is a literary, dramatic, or musical work intended to cause laughter about the original work. If the subject contains frivolities, they are treated seriously, and the serious elements are treated frivolously Everything (generally) is an opposite (ex. dropped ice cream is turned into melodramatic scene). Often includes a character who is in a serious situations acting highly inappropriate.
A figure of speech in which a phrase or set of words is meant to be viewed/understood in two different ways (with the first meaning being obvious, and the second being less so and often risque!) The character Charley (Master) Bates from Charles Dickens Oliver Twist. Some examples of accidental double-entendres that have been printed in newspapers or published on the Internet include: Panda mating fails: veterinarian takes over Miners refuse to work after death New obesity study looks for larger test group Children make nutritious snacks Criminals get nine months in violin case
Placing an idea, invention, item or word in the wrong time period. This is not always used just for satire and may just be an unintentional error. When used deliberately, it adds to the humor of the story by highlighting contrasts between one era and another. Examples: Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles, History of the World
An obvious contrast or direct opposite in setting, character, events, symbolism, morals, etc. It involves the bringing out of a contrast in the ideas by an obvious contrast in the words, clauses, or sentences, within a parallel grammatical structure, etc. to contrast views. These are examples of antithesis: "Man proposes, God disposes." - Source unknown. "Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing." - Goethe. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." - Neil Armstrong. "To err is human; to forgive divine." - Alexander Pope. "Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice." - William Shakespeare. "Many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14.
A disappointing resolution to a conflict or plot development. Something trivial that concludes a series of important and dramatic events. Why do authors use anti-climax? When employed intentionally, it devalues the subject by producing a ludicrous or comic effect. Therefore, it is frequently used for satirical and humorous composition in literature and movies. Ex. a villain's dastardly plans are a winding set of complex actions, that can be stopped with the push of a button.