satira

Satira is a literary and artistic genre that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to criticize human folly, vice, or social and political institutions. The term derives from the Latin satira, from satura, meaning a mixture or medley, reflecting the mode of combining different topics and forms in a single work.

Core features of satira include irony or sarcasm, parody, caricature, hyperbole, and incongruity. Its aim is not merely to entertain but to provoke thought, challenge norms, and encourage reform or reflection. Satire often targets power, authority, and public figures, as well as everyday social practices and beliefs.

Historically, satira has ancient roots in Greece and Rome, with poets and playwrights such as Aristophanes and Juvenal shaping early conventions. In the European tradition, satirical writing flourished during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and reached new prominence in the Enlightenment through authors such as Voltaire and Jonathan Swift. Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels and Candide by Voltaire are among the most influential examples, using narrative and irony to critique human pretensions and social systems. Since then, satire has expanded into drama, essays, and, in modern times, journalism, political cartoons, and digital media.

Forms of satira vary across cultures and media, from literary satires and satirical essays to theatrical comedies and visual cartoons. While effective satire can illuminate flaws and spur discussion, it also risks offense and misinterpretation, highlighting ongoing debates about freedom of expression and the ethics of ridicule.