SATIRE Meaning and
Definition
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Satire is a form of artistic expression that utilizes irony, sarcasm, and ridicule to criticize and mock individuals, institutions, or society as a whole. It is a literary technique often employed in written works, drama, poetry, and visual arts to expose and scrutinize human folly, vices, and shortcomings. The primary aim of satire is to provoke laughter and amusement while simultaneously providing social commentary, challenging conventional ideas, and promoting change.
Through exaggerated and often absurd characterizations, satire seeks to highlight the flaws, hypocrisies, and contradictions in society, often targeting politicians, celebrities, religious figures, and social norms. It uses imaginative and paradoxical situations to create humorous tensions, wherein the satirist aims to provoke the reader's critical thinking and introspection.
Satirical works often employ irony, a rhetorical device that involves saying or showing the opposite of what is intended. This juxtaposition of contradicting ideas helps expose the discrepancy between appearance and reality, bringing attention to societal issues and encouraging readers to question the status quo. Satire can serve as a powerful tool in challenging oppressive systems, promoting social change, and highlighting the absurdity of human behavior.
Satire has a rich history, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, and has continued to evolve and adapt to various cultural, political, and artistic contexts throughout history. It remains a popular and effective means of cultural critique and social commentary, offering a unique lens through which to view and understand the world.
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Such witty keenness and severity of written composition on the vices and follies of the age as tend to bring them into contempt; keenness and severity of remark; irony; sarcasm.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of SATIRE
The word "satire" originated from the Latin word "satura", which can be traced back to "lanx satura", meaning "a dish full of mixed fruits". Over time, "satura" evolved into "satira" in Latin, and then into "sature" in Old French. Ultimately, it became "satire" in English. The term "satura" was used in reference to a poetic composition that combined various elements such as verse, prose, and dialogue, hence the association with a diverse mixture of fruits. Over time, "satire" became associated with a specific genre of literature that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize and ridicule human vices, social institutions, and folly.
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