Holding up a mirror to SOCIETY WITH SATIRE

Imagine this: a comedian on a TV show pokes fun at a politician, mimicking his speechifying and exaggerating his contradictions. The audience bursts into laughter.

- ROOPA BANERJEE

But beneath the humour there's criticism of the politician's failure. This is satire at work — a blend of wit, irony, and exaggeration, aimed at exposing the flaws and follies of individuals or society at large.

Satire is a literary device, a genre that uses humour, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to critique and expose human vice or societal shortcomings. Its primary aim is not merely to entertain but to provoke thought, reflection, and, occasionally, reform.

The term satire originates from the Latin word satira, which initially referred to a poetic medley or a mixture of different elements. Interestingly, it had nothing to do with mockery at first. Roman writers Horace and Juvenal expanded its meaning, shaping satire into sharp social commentary. While Horace preferred gentle mockery to encourage reform, Juvenal's style was far more scathing, leaving little doubt about his contempt for wrongdoings.

There are varied examples of satire in literature. Indeed, most works of literature give readers a scathing account of the era in which it was written.