Research the difference between Horatian and Juvenalian satire, and even just satire if you are unclear about that. Don't hate me, but wikipedia does a good job of explaining it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire
Now post your comments about satirical humor. What is its purpose and have you enjoyed any such humor (share an example). Why or why not did you enjoy it?
The purpose of satirical humor is often to make a political, social, or moral point through humor or ridicule. I have enjoyed it before in pieces like "The Onion" in which news segments are made to satirize our political culture. I think that I enjoy Horatian poetry more because its playful nature makes criticism more light hearted, but pieces like Smith's "A Modest Proposal" can also bring more straightforward messages and evoke powerful emotion out of readers.
ReplyDeleteSatirical humor is used to criticize what, those writing it, feel strong disapproval towards. The Horatian satire is more playful using light-hearted humor, while Juvenalian is more like a strong disrespect and feeling for an evil in society, using such forms as sarcasm and irony. Satires humor is not its primary purpose. I have enjoyed satirical humor such as in "The Simpsons" television show, which is a more playful Horatian humor. However I have also enjoyed Juvenalian humor as that in Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451."
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed "The Simpsons" do to its exaggerations of social and political issues. Issues such as global warming. Bradbury's novel though I enjoyed from the irony of the fictional society. A world where "firefighters" was better defined as fire starters. Where people were forced into ignorance because of the mass growth of technology.
ReplyDeleteI think satire's purpose is to portray a group or an argument in such a light that it appears laughable, hilarious or even absurd. Sometimes in life things get so serious, or so grim, or so ridiculous that all you need is a finger to point and a few exaggerated details, and all of a sudden it's clear how incredibly funny the universe can be... so I guess the deeper role of satire is to make things "ok" by making them funny. For instance, Stephen Colbert satirizes extreme right-wing "patriots"; meeting one of these people in real life could be anywhere from a terrifying to a nauseating experience. But when Colbert portrays them in his satirical way, the absurdities are so obvious and accentuated that all you can do is laugh. It's a way to cope with terrible truths. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteI've definitely enjoyed satirical humor many times, one of my recent favorites was William Shatner reading excerpts from Sarah Palin's Twitter and autobiography as beat poetry. I loved it because he took the exact words that Palin herself wrote, and then by merely changing the context (add bongos and double bass, change Palin's voice to Shatner's) was able to use her own words to make fun of her. I think satire is so effective in that way because it's not exactly attacking or ridiculing someone; it's merely pointing out their absurdities. The subject of satire largely provides the material for their own downfall...
Satirical humor is when a person or author wants to prove his/her point of view, usually, about political, religious using sarcasm, irony, parody, exaggeration. There's two types of satire, Horatian and Juvenalian. Both have sarcasm, irony and criticizes what the author disapproves of. Unlike Horatian, Juvenalian satire uses evil to ridicule society and less humored. I have seen satire in Fahrenheit 451, and I have enjoyed it. It was a straight forward message criticizing our society, more specifically, our government.
ReplyDeleteSatirical humor is composed in order to slander another’s views, typically done in a witty manner. Both Horatian and Juvenalian satire are attacks to an opinion; Juvenalian being more caustic and even bellicose, to a degree. George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” has a biting humor; the animals become savage in the sense that they want to corrupt any form of Utopia that they unknowingly have. It directly parallels the pre-World War II era in Russia where rebellion was common. In fact, the novel’s subtitle, “A Fairy Story” is ironic; it is contradictory to the grim reality of horrors that occurred due to corrupt absolute power (modeled after Stalin).
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy “Animal Farm” as it was an interesting approach to communism; animals on a farm are peaceful. In the novel, they are depicted as controlling and ignorant for the purpose of the satire. It demonstrates to one how Russia was undergoing vast changes while detailing the extreme corruption…all on a farm and its surroundings.
Satire is a method to test normally accepted societal views by discretely mocking them through the use of sarcasm, understatements, hyperboles, irony, etc. As a result, the author is then able to express, thanks to the technique of humor, controversial ideas through unconventional means. I feel as though satire’s purpose is more than simply a couple laughs, in fact it is able to take concepts that are otherwise left unheard and add a twist of wit in order to force the reader to view a notion differently. In doing so the author is clever enough to take abnormal thoughts, such as selling babies in the case of A Modest Proposal, and force the reader to openly admit the harsh realities of life, Britain’s extreme control over Ireland and their depleting economy. Although horatian satire is far more praised I find that juvenalian satire is far more impactful, considering the fact that it resorts to powerful uses of sarcasm and irony to expose truth that is normally difficult to swallow instead of overshadowed with playful approaches.
ReplyDeleteSatirical humor is meant to depict something (A group, organization, person, feeling, etc.) in a negative light by using irony, exageration, metaphors, and many other techniques. The author disagrees with a specific ideal and wishes to make his/her feelings known by essentially "making fun" of it. While humor may or may not be intentional in satire, most of the time, when one sees something ridiculed to a certain extent, it usually becomes hilarious.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm looking for humor and laughs, I prefer the Horatian style satire, due to the fact that it is more playful. In fact, I think my favorite comedy show/cartoon, The Boondocks, would fit perfectly into that style. It uses exaggeration and humor to criticize society in many ways and even bases characters after important political figures (Ex. George W. Bush).
I enjoy Juvenalian-style satire when I'm looking for an interesting text which makes me think about the references and occasionally makes me laugh with dark humor. Though I would not recommend "Animal Farm" to anyone who wants a laugh, I think it does a good job of representing the Stalin Era.
Satirical humor's purpose is to express the absurdity or foolishness of situations, acts, or ideas by showing the situation, act, or idea through a diffrent perspective. This perspective is meant to highlight the foolishness of it, and therefore persuading people to view it differently and in the case of acts, cease to do them.
ReplyDeleteFamily Guy provides satirical humor for, and a large amount. And so does the Boondocks as German mentioned earlier. "A Nigga Moment" episode was especially entertaining, highlighting the way in which African-Americans act when the term "Nigga" is used towards them. The satire was in the fact that they would get upset when someone called them a Nigga and their response to the situation was to disclaim being one and then act like a Nigga.
"Although horatian satire is far more praised I find that juvenalian satire is far more impactful, considering the fact that it resorts to powerful uses of sarcasm and irony to expose truth that is normally difficult to swallow instead of overshadowed with playful approaches." --- Jael
I beg to differ on the amount of impact Juvenalian satire has. Horatian allows you to laugh off your mistakes and let you not make them again. Juvenalian is so bitter that its response is retaliation more than acknowledgement of a wrong.
Horatian satire gives you that "it's nothing personal attitude" which allows you to correct a wrong without being embarrassed and probably will laugh about it yourself. Juvenalian on the other hand gives you the impression that it is personal, automatically the thing being satirized on the defensive and thus less cooperative.
The point of satire is to use irony or ridicule to point out aspects of something that could use some improvement. It's a, usually, humorous way of bringing out the truth of a serious situation. Horatian is playful light-hearted humor that is pretty common in society. A common example of Horatian satire is The SImpsons. I know that there a lot of people who just absolutely love this show and think its hilarious, but I personally don't find it funny at all. Juvenalian is much more serious and pessimistic. For example, Swift's "A Modest Proposal", which we read last year in AP English. I actually enjoyed this piece. The deep rooted issue is clearly not funny, but the satirical method that Swift uses makes the piece enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI see that a lot of people mentioned Animal Farm. And I agree with German; it's not necessarily a book I would go to for a good laugh. But Marcela's right too, it does a good job satirizing communism.
Satire is used to ridicule or make fun of human vice or weakness. The true satirist is conscious of the flaws of institutions and attempts through laughter, not so much to tear them down, as to inspire an improvement. It seeks to create a shock of recognition. I can most definitely see why a lot of pieces of satire would be ridiculed. The combination of irony, anger, and humor can lead to a misunderstanding of the piece. However, when you really get to the core of the matter, satire, at least in my opinion, is one of the best ways of expressing a critique. Authors express satire through irony, derision, wit, and the like. Horatian and Juvenalian satire are complete opposites. Horation satire is light hearted and humorous. To Horace, a satirist is a man who sees flaws everywhere but is only brought to laughter rather than rage. To Juvenal, a satirist is horrified and completely outraged. This form is much more pessimistic and scornful. In my opinion, minor flaws are better expressed through Horatian satire.For example, family guy. But, and I agree with Jael on this, Juvenalian satire leaves much more of an impact. Larger, more serious issues, can be expressed with more power through Juvenalian satire.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, on of the best pieces of satire that I've seen is the movie Chicago. Chicago uses satirical comedy to express celebrities getting away with murder by using the press and profiting from it afterwards. I feel like the author made a much bigger impact by making his point in a satirical way. Catch 22 was also a really good satirical book. This historical novel satirizes the bureaucratic reasoning during World War 2. It expresses a "no-win" situation. The satire in the book kept me much more entertained, whereas just stating his critique would have made me put the book down right away. The satire in the novel helped me to connect with the situation and made his critique much clearer.
The purpose of satire is to accentuate the negative aspects of something through techniques including (but not limited to) exaggeration, irony, and humor. I enjoy satirical humor every time I spend the majority of my day at home as I usually watch the most recent episode of the Daily Show and the Colbert Report. I often find it hilarious because they are usually spot on in satirizing (through humorous, exaggerated, mimicking) the pundits and media syndicates that dominate political news.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah's response regarding Swift's "A Modest Proposal"; most Juvenalian approaches are not meant to be funny but sometimes they can be due to how irrational the ideas are. Killing babies is certainly an extreme- nobody in their right mind would go there in order to aleviate economic issues.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of satire is to indirectly highlight the flaws in people and their perspectives on many topics such as religion and politics. Satire may be used in a light-hearted, humorous manner or in a much more serious and critical way. I personally enjoyed the satire in Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In this novel, Twain satirizes the American Society in his era and their less than perfect ways. Twain, through the use of satire, alludes to the racism in American society as well as its concern with absurdity rather than important matters.
ReplyDeleteIrony, sarcasm,exaggeration, etc. are all used in satirical writing, to prove the negative aspects of something.
ReplyDeleteI would also agree with the book animal farm as a good example of satirizing communnism because it subtly suggests the conflict occuring with Russia up to and during the stalin era before world war II.
*Camile Hall
The purpose of satirical humor is to ridicule a human trait or practice that the author/poet/play write/etc. finds worthy of mockery or doesn't approve of. Much of the satire seen in movies and shows today is political, and the most common type of satire today is Horatian satire: the more playful, light-hearted form. The other type of satire is juvenalian and this form is much more harsh, it is less humorous and more abraisive.
ReplyDeleteThe first example that came to mind for satirical humor was the Simpson's Movie (mostly because I saw it yesterday). This movie, as well as the show overall, is mostly horatian satire. Many of the satirical aspects of the movie were political satire. Lisa Simpson holds a seminar for the town called "An Irritating Truth" (satirizing Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth"). Also, the leader of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) addresses President Schwarzenegger regarding the pollution in Springfield. He proceeds to lay out four five option folders in front of him and tells him to just point at the one he wants. This is satirizing the role of the president in decision-making as well as the people's choice in an actor as a public official. These are just two of countless satirical examples found in the Simpson's Movie and in the show.
>>~~Katie~>
The purpose of satire is to expose/denounce vice or folly (be it political, social, economical, etc.) through the use of sarcasm, irony, ridicule, etc. Though satire usually appears to be funny on the surface, a deeper meaning is hidden under the humor. While Horatian satire tends to be more light-hearted and playful, Juvenalian satire is more audacious and cutting. I would prefer Juvenalian satire because it is more cut-throat and realistic in terms of what it is trying to achieve.
ReplyDeleteDuring the summer before high school, I had the chance to read George Orwell’s “1984.” Classified as Juvenalian satire, the story was highly effective because on the surface there was this awesome story with a wonderful plot that most children can follow. However, hidden beneath the plot were themes of censorship, nationalism, sexual repression, etc.
Satire is a way in which we ridicule or criticize someone or something, often as a way to create change. Haratian satire is much more playful and good humored, and is set out to seem more tolerant of the negative trait at hand. Juvenalian satire is much more bitter and abrasive. satirical humor can be seen as a corrective tool because although writers often make humor out of situatiions. which they may not agree with, the underlying message is stil there saying that it is not right. I loved J. Swift's "A Modest Proposal" because it alllowed people to laugh and relate to a serious issue all at the same time. Huckleberry Finn was also an amazing satirical piece, attacking an issue that is so personal to all of us.
ReplyDeleteI think Nicole described satire very clearly and I agree with the Orwell examples of satire, I never really considered his work to be satire but I suppose it does ridicule aspects of modern or past societies and is thus very fitting.
ReplyDeleteI am personally a fan of satire. It is a unique humor that few can master, and I like how wikipedia says it is accomplished by "using the weapon of wit."
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite examples of satire comes from an episode of Family Guy in a scene called "Ball In A Cup." It ridicules our nation's suppliers' tendency to create pointless products and try to sell them on the market.
Ball In A Cup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og1z13Iqi_0
I like this scene because it indirectly criticizes today's absurd products and our nation's susceptibility to advertising and propaganda.
Horatian satire is playful and teasing while Juvenalian satire has a more biting undertone to it. Of course as is used as a means to mock an established idea, condition, or social pattern. The satire isn't always just fun and games but the goal of satire is to also provoke change regarding the subject of the ridicule. When it comes to being satirized I would never want someone to be subject in a Juvenalian way since it is so degrading and I know that the joke refers to a corrupt institution or standard, but Horatian satire I would be able to enjoy since I know the subject is much lighter.
ReplyDeleteSatire is the holding of shortcomings either directed to a person or a who institution up for ridicule or a witty parte. It is the unheard man's cry.
ReplyDeleteSince I am breathing and have a central nervous system, I do enjoy satire very much so. Especially from the French novelist Marquis de Sade. In "Philosophy in the Boudoir" and "The Mystified Majestically" Sade criticizes how the Law system and the the Holy Romain Church live in a lucrative marriage between each other.