Bellwork

Generate a list of elements of fairy tales.

What characteristics do you expect to encounter when reading or viewing a fairy tale?

SATIRE

English 11 AP

Perry High School

Satire

The use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc. In film and literature, it is most commonly used to point out societal flaws.

The necessary ingredients Humor

Criticism, either general criticism of humanity or human nature or specific criticism of an individual or group

Some kind of moral voice: simply mocking or criticizing is not “satire”

Justification for Satire

Satire is usually justified as a corrective of human vice and folly. 

The aim of satire to ridicule the fault or failing of the

individual, rather than the  individual personto target only those faults that

are correctable, not those for which the individual is not responsible.

The Satiric Manner

Ironic/Sarcastic

Either good natured criticism (Horatian after Horace) or bitterly cynical denunciation (Juvenalian after Juvenal)

Always opposed to pretense, affectation, and hypocrisy

Satire v. Comedy

Satire differs from comedy

Comedy evokes laughter mainly as an end in itself, while satire derides

Satire uses laughter as a weapon, and against the butt - an object - that exists outside the work itself.

Gentle and humorous satire is called “Horatian Satire” after the writing style of the Roman poet Horace. One of the characteristics of Horatian satire is that it includes a higher percentage of humor.

Heavy or biting satire called “Juvenalian Satire” after the Roman poet Juvenal.

Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels is a Horatian Satire but his “Modest Proposal” is Juvenalian Satire.

The Four Elements of Satire Exaggeration

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

The Four Elements of Satire Incongruity

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

The Four Elements of Satire Reversal

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

The Four Elements of Satire Parody-To imitate the techniques and/or style of some person, place, or thing.

While viewing the following clip, look for elements that depart from the

characteristics of the typical fairy tale that we just discussed. Make note of them in

your journal.

Check your work

Exaggeration

Incongruity

Princess Fiona fights and successfully defeats Robin Hood and all of his Merry Men without any help and without any weapons.

Princess Fiona uses her ponytail to deliver a knockout punch to one of the Merry Men. While frozen in a mid-air martial arts kick, Princess Fiona pauses to fix her disheveled hair before knocking out two of the Merry Men.

Reversal

The roles of the hero and the damsel in distress have been reversed. In this clip, it is Princess Fiona, the rescuee, who fights and defeats the foe.

Parody

The fight scene is an exaggerated imitation of the martial arts style and special effects used in movies such as The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Let’s Identify

Determine which element of satire from the following clips from Shrek (2001):https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVGpnn3mXTk (fight)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X81AoBcVnaA (Duloc)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56PdNaZEsrU (song)

Analyze

Choose ONE clip and write a SEE-set in which you explain the elements of satire used and the author’s purpose.A fully developed explanation must address what societal flaw(s) the author is pointing out and why.