On Satire

Satire is a means for making the ridiculous stand out, often by carrying an argument or opinion to the extreme. Although used primarily for comedic effect, the goal of satire is to expose some perceived evil, often that of an opposing viewpoint. Thus, satire often takes the form of a polemic. In some instances the satirist will assume the position of his or her opponent in the form of a parody. Parody proves effective if performed straight or as pantomime. However, although playing it straight adds gravitas, there is a danger of being take too seriously. Straight parody often goes over the heads of the more ignorant.

SATIRE ON THE STAGE

The pen of the playwright is often the tool for insurrection. Aristophanes, author of many of Ancient Greece's famed comedies, is regarded as one of the best satirists. In The Clouds Aristophanes turns his critical eye to philosophy. The plot involves an indebted father who enrolls his son in The Thinkery that he may learn rhetoric and defeat their accusers in court. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, however. The boy learns instead to turn his back on social customs and moral behavior. Following an argument, the boy batters his father. Outraged, the father burns The Thinkery to the ground. Aristophanes portrayal of philosophers, Socrates in particular, was pointed out by Plato as one of the leading causes of Socrates' subsequent trial and death. Socrates indictment was that of corrupting the youth, an accusation that mirrors his character in the play.

SATIRE IN POETRY

Roman poets Horace and Juvenal are to satire what Plato and Aristotle are to philosophy. Horatian satire is light hearted, often poking fun at one's own vices. The goal is to provide insight in dealing with social problems. Juvenalian satire is often bitter. It is caustic in the way it shines a spotlight on some social ill. It seeks to ridicule. Satirical poetry had a considerable run during the 18th century with such poets as Dryden and Pope at the quill. John Dryden is famous for his mock-heroic satires, particularly MacFlecknoe, an attack on the poor literary sensibilities of his contemporary and rival, Thomas Shadwell. In a word, Dryden paints him as dull. Sadly, libel laws have nearly put an end to the polemic poem in England.

SATIRE IN ESSAY FORM

The direct and formal nature of the essay makes for a good polemic. Yet, because of the serious tone in most essays, satire in essay form is easily misconstrued. Take for instance Jonathan Swift's famous essay, A Modest Proposal. In it Swift suggests that to end poverty and starvation in Ireland you need to introduce but one policy, eat babies. In this regard, you cut down on the population, feed the starving, and cut costs of raising children. The number of complaints from people who took this seriously is staggering. In his essay, Swift meant only to bring attention to social ills. When writing a satirical essay it is perhaps best not to overestimate one's readers.

SATIRE IN FICTION

The novel and the short story present ways an author can introduce satire in narrative form. Children's literature, strangely, serves as one of the best options. Carrol's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass contain several elements of satire. If one looks as the red and white chess pieces as political figures, the satire comes through. The Red King and Red Queen represent conservatives. They are combative and accusatory, the Red Queen often shouting, "Off with her head!" This iron grip and war like attitude is typical of republicans. Then you have the White King and White Queen that represent liberals. The White Queen is anxious and flighty. She means well, but is utterly incompetent.

SATIRE IN SONG

For those who could not read or write, the song proved a welcome tool for satire. As such, satirical songs were prominent in the Middle Ages. However, even the literate lace songs with acerbic wit. Voltaire (the musician, not the philosopher) has written and performed many satirical songs. One of the most blatant and scathing is "Bomb New Jersey." Voltaire grew up in New Jersey and suffered the abuse of the many, ignorant people there. Being goth and having a hot girlfriend did not help matters. Voltaire takes revenge in this anthem. "God Thinks" addresses the hypocrisy of those who claim to know the wishes of God. "Mr. Irresponsible" is an attack on those who live with little regard for the environment.

SATIRE IN FILM

Parody plays well on film. The Marx Brothers and Charley Chaplin have used the Silver Screen to knock the legs out from under the haughty-taughty. The latter also displayed the life of the unemployed during the depression, characterized by his lovable, yet hapless tramp. The Great Dictator is Chaplin's attack on Hitler and Mussolini. When the film was made, they had no idea of the atrocities that had been committed against the Jews. In retrospect the tone of the film seems a bit light and frivolous.

SATIRE ON TELEVISION

The immediacy and the regularity of television makes it a good source for satire. From very early on the sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, offered comedy writers a timely shot at bad politics. Spoofing presidents has been a long standing tradition. SNL also features a fake news segment called "Weekend Update." The fake news banner has been taken up by Comedy Central in The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report. In the Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert takes on a conservative persona, a construct of Fox News reporters Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and Glenn Beck. As parody, Stephen emulates their "journalistic" style, only going the next step into the ridiculous. Often he has no need to as whatever the originals may say need only be repeated, as it is already ridiculous.