An Introduction to Satire featuring Shrek , Will Ferrell, and The Onion

Elements of this lesson adapted from Exploring Satire with Shrek by Junius Wright

English 10: British Literature Mr. Ambrose

Check out this scene from Shrek. Take notes on what you observe.

51:20-53:20

Satire: A literary work that ridicules its subject in order to make a comment or criticism about it.

There are four major techniques employed in satire: Exaggeration Incongruity Reversal Parody

To enlarge, increase, or represent something beyond normal bounds so that it becomes ridiculous and its faults can be seen.

To present things that are out of place or are absurd in relation to its surroundings.

To present the opposite of the normal order (i.e. the order of events, hierarchical order).

To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing.

Let’s take a look at Shrek one more time. This time, see if you can find an example of

each satirical technique.

Exaggeration Princess Fiona fights and successfully defeats

Robin Hood and his Merry Men without help. Incongruity

Princess Fiona uses her ponytail to defeat one of the Merry Men, stopping in mid-air to adjust her hair

Reversal The role of the hero and the damsel in distress

are reversed. The damsel saves the hero. Parody

The fight scene is an exaggerated imitation of the martial arts style in movies like The Matrix.

The traditional story of the knight rescuing the damsel in distress is not a realistic depiction of the roles filled by men and women in modern society.

Current Hollywood action movies like The Matrix have become ridiculous because they are too focused on special effects.

Any other ideas?

What satirical techniques are at work in this clip? Write your ideas down in your

notebook.(We can watch it twice if you like.)

What elements of satire are present? Where? Exaggeration? Incongruity? Reversal? Parody?

What is the commentary being offered?

Read and discuss “Stephon Marbury Embroils Celtics Big 3

in Shakespearean Intrigue”

Honors: Find an example of a story you like on

www.theonion.com. Print it out and bring it in tomorrow. In addition, write an analysis of the article

(two paragraphs), explaining (a) what elements of satire are being employed and (b) what commentary is being offered.

Staple the article and your analysis together.

Standard Explore the website www.theonion.com.

Find articles and videos that you think

would be interesting to the class. Enter class with articles and videos in

mind to share with the group. You might do this by e-mailing yourself

links.