Satire is Everywhere

Songs like “Eat it”, “Ebay”, and “White and Nerdy”, all show how weird, Weird Al is. These songs, which are spoofs of songs, are a form of entertainment through their satirical ways. Many think it is a super creative fun way to entertain but it is not the first way satire was used. Satire, defined as the use of irony or ridicule, in the past was used in an abundance of ways.

            This almost sarcastic way of writing was originated and was used by the Greeks and Romans. Satire used by the Greeks is traced back to 500 B.C. where it was mostly used in comedy plays. These “Satyric dramas” were used as interval pieces after a tragic play. On the other hand, the Romans used it more for poetry. Also the Romans split satire into two categories, one to poke fun at a subject and the other to humiliate the subject.

 Through out the years the branches ways of using satire have definitely increased. From newspapers like “The Onion” to TV show like “Colbert Report”, our society has accepted and seems to enjoy satire. Several big aspects of satire in today’s world are displayed through television, writing, music, and randomly through out daily life.

When watching television mockery can be found very easily because in this day and age it is the thing that appeals to the audience most. Take for example, the Geico commercials, with the famous line, “So easy, a caveman can do it”. Although we may not know if it is that easy, this concept creates humor allowing the audience to associate a positive image with this business. Another representation of satire is in shows like “The Daily Show”, “Colbert Report”, and “Mad TV”. “The Daily Show with Jon Stewert”, appears on Comedy Central and is, at first glance, just another news show. Those who watch it know that it is a news show but not in the traditional sense. Instead of just providing facts and information, Jon Stewart spends thirty minutes describing the satire found in current events and by poking fun at political figures, celebrities, and even news stories. Only six years later, Comedy Central couldn’t wait to create a spin off, now known as “The Colbert Report”. Both of these shows have a similar goal, and aim to entertain people by finding the sarcasm in real life situations and news. When it comes to television shows, in my opinion, “Mad TV” is the best show to find satire in. Because of the more diverse range of topics they choose to mock, this show is entertainment to a very broad range of people. From their reenactments of the Oprah show to their political skits, “Mad TV” is definitely a big use of satire in modern society.

In addition to television shows, movies take up quite a chunk of satire that appears on television. Debatably the most popular, but probably commonly known is the movie titled “Scary Movie”. For those who haven’t seen it, this movie is has a story line of its own that is built around and often inserts satirical language about a movie, show or situation from the past. This movie, and the three “Scary Movie” that follow, all heavily deride mystery and horror themes and even refer to movies like, “Scream”, “The Sixth Sense” and “The Matrix”. 

Although we are most familiar with humor and satire shown on television, you can also find it in writing. One place you can look is, “The Onion”. “The Onion” is an American news satire organization, who through their articles, reveal a story or truth through a humorous mockery. This organization is not new, due to the article written after the assassination of the United States president elected in 1960, Kennedy. The article was titled, “KENNEDY SLAIN BY CIA, MAFIA, CASTRO LBJ, TEAMSTERS, FREEMASONS” immediately followed by, “President Shot 129 Times from 43 Different Angles”. In more recent articles, they recreate an advertisement which seems to now reveal the truth about marketing. This article advertised MagnaSoles, a shoe insert that not only rejuvenates your feet but align your body with the earth causing less pain on your body. Through out this article, it is greatly emphasized how other advertisements are built in a similar way using scientific sounding language to reel you in. The satirical yet humorous diction makes the downfalls and holes of marketing a lot clearer to the consumer.

 In addition people like Stephen Tvedten, and authors like Dr. Jonathan Swift use clever diction to make a very valid point. Tvedten takes an opportunity to speak his mind to Montcalm County about the beaver problem they have told him to resolve. By referring to the beaver’s dam as their dam problem provides a comedic touch to his response and is apart of the satire used in recent times. Another very interesting piece of writing that is the spitting image of satire is written by Dr. Swift and is entitled, “A Modest Proposal”. The author writes this proposal aiming to benefit the human race. Like anyone else, all he wants to do is help and this proposal lays down his ideas and how those ideas will benefit the human race. Soon enough, while reading, you may realize that his very “modest” proposal, simply put is to eat children. At this time, in 1729 the population had increased but the amount of food has remained the same, keeping many from survival. He begins by describing women who constantly have several children in their shadow and how they could be put to better use. Through out his proposal he supports, very well, how to start this system and everything he says makes perfect sense, yet the concept still seems unacceptable.

             Whether it is from a proposal meant to persuade others or a skit mimicking a political gathering satire is found everywhere. It is something that has become apart of our lives today through TV, advertisement, movies, and writing. Plus many of us use it daily while talking to friends. With many other societal uses of satire, these few seem to be the attention grabbers of the society of today. See where else you can find it.