Analysing Satire Essay Example
Analysing Satire Essay Example

Analysing Satire Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (422 words)
  • Published: October 19, 2016
  • Type: Analysis
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This analysis focuses on a satirical piece called "armed gunman" sketch from the Onion movie, a well-known satirical show/site. The sketch showcases various satirical elements, and this speech will delve into analyzing and discussing these elements along with the invited alternate and resistant views presented.

There are three primary varieties of satire: gentle, barbed, and savage. Gentle satire, also known as horatian, involves laughing alongside the subject. This type of satire utilizes wit, exaggeration, and self-deprecating humor to critique social vices in a lighthearted manner. Well-known examples of gentle satire often include parodies of songs, movies, or shows. On the other hand, barbed satire mocks the weak, as seen in political cartoons. The last major type of satire is savage, which aims to cruelly destroy someone or something. Savage satire exposes social evils through scorn, out

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rage, and brutal ridicule. It is characterized by irony, sarcasm, moral indignation, and personal incentives. Some works by the Chasers and certain sketches from The Onion have been considered examples of savage satire.

Satire employs various elements to convey its viewpoint. These elements can typically be classified as barbed, gentle, or savage satire. Irony is a frequently used element in satirical works, often employing puns or parodies. Savage humor occasionally incorporates black humor, which involves making light-hearted jokes about subjects that are typically treated seriously. Juxtaposition and hyperbole are mainly used to further enhance the humor in the piece by emphasizing the targeted demographic with additional banter or exaggerated statements.

Satire is a well-known type of literary text that combines humor with criticism. It has been present since around 5 BC, mainly in the form

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of poetry. Roman satirists Horace and Juvenal played a significant role in establishing the characteristics of satire and had a strong influence on literary works. The structure of Roman satire is believed to have shaped the way satire is made today. Roman satire can be divided into two types: one that aims to mock and make fun of a subject and another that seeks to destroy and humiliate its target. Horace preferred the amusing form of satire, while Juvenal used a harsh and humiliating type. Although Horace opposed this approach, he suggested using less destructive and more clever humor instead of targeting the victim, but Juvenal did not agree with him.

The armed gunman sketch by The Onion depicts a typical scenario of a robbery, where the victim, being held at gunpoint, would assume that the assailant wants money. However, in this unique scenario, the robber actually desires employment at the bank.

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