What Is Satire?

"Satire is a sort of glass, where in beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind of reception it meets in the world, and that so very few are offended with it." Jonathan Swift It's in the Preface to The Battle of the Books (1667-1745)

Satire is a genre of literature that diminishes social criticism by using wit and humor. Satire shows problems in society, government, businesses, and individuals by making them ridiculous and amusing to bring the public attention to them. Irony, parody and sarcasm are used as an essential part of satire. Satirists also often use juxtaposition, analogy, parody, and double entendre to highlight their points.

It is used to portray the vanity, hypocrisy, idolatry, bigotry, pedantry, sentimentality in society and politics. According to Oxford Dictionaries, satire is derived from “Early 16th century: from French, or from Latin satira, later form of satura 'poetic medley'.” According to Merriam Webster Dictionary satire was derived from Latin satura which means “dish of mixed ingredients.”

There are two types of satire, Horatian satire and Juvenalian satire. Horatian satire is named after the roman poet and satirist Horace. His satires made fun of the dominant philosophical beliefs of ancient Rome and Greece. Horatian satire is considered a more lighthearted type of satire as the character displays general human foible, hypocrisy and failings in a gentle way to amuse the readers not to anger them. The character would use informal language to make readers smile at human absurdities including their own.    

On the other hand, Juvenalian satire is after the 1st century AD Latin satirist Juvenal who criticized the Roman governmental organizations. Juvenalian satire is bitter and shows deep disapproval and criticism. The speaker usually attacks vice with harshness. It usually about politics and it aims to stimulate and provoke change. The golden age of satire was during the late 17th and early 18th century. One of the greatest satirists, who is established as the master of Juvenalian satire, is Jonathan Swift.