AP Lang Satire

Horatian (Type of Satire)

After the Roman satirist Horace: Satire in which the voice is indulgent, tolerant, amused, and witty. The speaker holds up to gentle ridicule the absurdities and follies of human beings, aiming at producing in the reader not the anger of a Juvenal, but a wry smile.

Juvenalian (Type of Satire)

After the Roman satirist Juvenal: Formal satire in which the speaker attacks vice and error with contempt and indignation Juvenalian satire in its realism and its harshness is in strong contrast to Horatian satire. Often called invective satire.

Optimist (Type of Satirist)

- Likes people, but thinks they're blind and foolish

- Tells the truth with a smile

- Cures people of ignorance

- Writes in order to heal

Pessimist (Type of Satirist)

- Loves individuals, hates mankind

- Aims to wound, to punish, to destroy; Juvenalian satire

Diatribe / Invective (Device of Satire)

- Direct attack

- Stated without irony or sarcasm

- Name-calling, personal abuse, etc.

Farce (Device of Satire)

- Exciting laughter through exaggerated, improbable situations

- Usually contains low comedy: quarreling, fighting, coarse wit, noisy singing, boisterous conduct

Caricature (Device of Satire)

- Distortion for emphasis

- Usually focuses on powerful subjects

- Emphasizes physical characteristics in order to make deeper criticism

Grotesque (Device of Satire)

- Creating a tension between laughter and horror / revulsion; the essence of all "sick humor" or "black humor"

Exaggeration (Device of Satire)

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

Hyperbole (Device of Satire)

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Absurdum (Device of Satire)

Taking something to an extreme to make a point

Understatement (Device of Satire)

Diminishes statements or claims, not meant to be taken literally.

Incongruity (Device of Satire)

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

Reversal (Device of Satire)

To present the opposite of the normal order (the order of events, standard order of something obvious.)

Situational Irony (Device of Satire)

A contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs.

Verbal Irony (Device of Satire)

When a writer or character says

one something but means the

opposite.

Sarcasm (Device of Satire)

The use of words that mean the opposite of what you really want to say especially in order to insult someone, to show irritation, or to be funny.

Judgement (Device of Satire)

When character, intelligence, beliefs, decisions or preferences are questioned in a way that causes shame

Play / Wit (Device of Satire)

Mockery, imitation, and clever humor

Misunderstanding (Device of Satire)

Intentional misinterpretation or misunderstanding of in a conversation, situation, or circumstance

Parody (Device of Satire)

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

Burlesque (Device of Satire)

- Vulgar; treats subject with ridicule

- Vulgarity, distortion, and contempt

Mock-heroic (Device of Satire)

- Grand diction, lofty stye

- Takes a trivial or repellent theme and treats it with grandeur or feigned solemnity