Elements of Satire

The Simpsons. South Park. Saturday Night Live. These are three popular shows that you have most likely heard about or seen on television. Some criticize them for their irreverent humor and pop cultural appeal; however, others see them as powerful examples of satire. SATIRE is a form of comedy that uses humor, exaggeration, irony, and ridicule to expose humanity’s vices and foolish behavior. Aristophanes was among the earliest writers of satire, and many others have followed in his footsteps. Later in this module, you will learn more about some of the most well-known satirists: Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, and Oscar Wilde.

There are different types of satire, and they each have different styles:

Horatian Satire: uses gentle humor to poke fun at a behavior or some element of society
Juvenalian Satire: a bit harsher than Horatian Satire, using bitter irony to critique
Menippean Satire: typically critiques a way of thinking or time period

Video Lesson

Watch the video below to learn more about the different types of satire.

Practice Activity

Now that you’ve learned about the different types of satire, practice identifying the strategies commonly used by satire. Select each strategy to learn more.

Verbal Irony

Also known as sarcasm: what is said is not really what is meant

Parody

An imitation of a style or person for humorous effect

Understatement

Downplaying something’s size, significance, or quality

Juxtaposition

Placing two very different ideas, statements, or characters side by side to show their contrast

Malapropism

The unintentional misuse of a word or phrase that typically makes one look foolish

Ridicule

Harsh critique of someone or something

Hyperbole

Exaggeration that is typically humorous because of its unbelievability

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