Satire Breathes in Words as Long Human Follies Exist

Defining satire using perfect words is a difficult task, but sensing the notion of satire in an author’s work is an enjoyable experience.

There is no specific set of literary forms that only has the authority to unveil satire. It is visible in both prose and poetry. It can be in the shape of a ballad, an elegy, or an ode. A novel could even unfold a satire in the form of a story, and readers sometimes remember the story as only popular content, forgetting the satirical basis, which has played the sole prime role in making the piece popular.

Gulliver’s Travels of Jonathan Swift is one real example of such a trend. Also, the literary world contains several famous plays written by pioneering authors worldwide that chiefly portray satire while depicting contemporary follies. These plays remain fresh forever in the minds of readers, sometimes as very prominent instances of humor. Some others identify these works as the most attractive creations by the dramatists only for enjoyment, and they don’t identify the hidden mockery in the words of these plays.

Satire in the form of writing becomes classical masterpieces

Satire, in the form of writing, always received treatment as a classical masterpiece in Greek literature and simultaneously in Latin literature. The works of Persius, Juvenal, and Horace emerged as major or significant masterpieces. Their writings were imitated several times throughout Europe during the Renaissance and that period, too.

It is undeniably true that these Roman poets set the introductory platform for Augustan and Elizabethan satire in England.

Many modern people with so-called polished characteristics usually call satire an “unpolished verse.” However, this “unpolished verse” is an essential characteristic of English literature. Even more accurately, this verse can be defined as an enjoyable literary composition that mainly aims to ridicule the follies or the vices.

It can also be defined as a unique composition of words that arouse good humor in readers even when it appears most caustic. According to John Dryden, the eminent literary critic, “The true end of satire is the amendment of vices by correction.”

Expressing satires in adequate terms is a hard nut to crack. But a sense of amusement, excitement, or even disgust originating from a ridiculous form of humor is distinctly recognizable in it. The important thing is all these features can be visible in the utterance of words that are associated with a unique literary form. The truth is satire becomes invective or abusive without humor, and without a literary form, it is nothing but only jeering.

Literary satire is a blend of criticism and humor

Literary satire means combining criticism with humor. An eminent satirist is a keen observer with an eye especially for the ludicrous. His creation emerges as the manifestation of a specific art that involves an intellectual exercise that addresses more reality than imagination.

A satirical temperament is a genuine unification of a humorist with his hidden or visible potentiality of criticism. When humor stirs critical faculty, the artist has to pass beyond the mockery to reveal the acceptance of inadequacies in humans.

Jonathan Swift’s immortal works are the best examples that reveal the said inadequacies. These works show that Swift was intensely fascinated by the barbarity and stupidity of humans. His words uncover his bitter mockery towards human subservience. In a word, the Anglo-Irish satirist criticized mankind when he wrote, “the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earth.” Undoubtedly, Swift, as one of the great satirists in the world, discovers the truth in his own way.

A thin line exists between a humorist and a satirist

For so many years, people have been trying hard to discover the thin line of difference between a humorist and a satirist. However, they often stand with confusion when they read the words of a satirist or a humorist. It is because many writers choose to penetrate through varying degrees of human follies and humor, unveiling a mixed satirical spirit.

The novels of Jane Austen and Hardy are the best instances of this trend. Their works never portray direct satire. On the other hand, the creations of Byron uncover direct satires. And that is why Byron’s satirical spirit largely disappeared with the growing time. However, that doesn’t mean satire is no longer visible. The essential and undeniable truth is that as long as humans remain imperfect, satire will remain visible in human words or, more specifically, in authors’ portrayal of thoughts.

That means satire must breathe in words as long as human follies are an inescapable part of human life. Also, it will retain a robust foothold in writing and literature as long as imperfection remains an integral part of bringing perfection to human society. Some literary experts and readers may think that current situations or circumstances are less supportive of the invention of great satire. But, the truth is satire continues at present and will carry on uninterrupted breathing when there is and will be a fusion of humor and satirical spirit.