History Main / Satire

Satire often relies on current events and there is a danger that it won't be appreciated in another era. The poetry of Pope and Dryden satirized English politics of the 18th century, but few would appreciate the humor now. The best satire can still be appreciated on its own merits even after the thing it's criticizing fades from consciousness. Occasionally, a piece of satire regains relevance in similar circumstances; for example, satire aimed at [[GeorgeHWBush George Bush I]] (or, perhaps more cruelly, RichardNixon) can often be easily applied to [[GeorgeWBush Bill Clinton]].

Satire often relies on current events and there is a danger that it won't be appreciated in another era. The poetry of Pope and Dryden satirized English politics of the 18th century, but few would appreciate the humor now. The best satire can still be appreciated on its own merits even after the thing it's criticizing fades from consciousness. Occasionally, a piece of satire regains relevance in similar circumstances; for example, satire aimed at [[GeorgeHWBush George Bush I]] (or, perhaps more cruelly, RichardNixon) can often be easily applied to [[GeorgeWBush George Bush II]].

The Roman poets Ennius and Lucilius are considered the progenitors of the genre, though almost all of their work has been lost. Latin satire was generally delivered in verse, like most literature of the time. It was considered the sole branch of literature native to Rome and there was no Greek equivalent, though some Greek comedy, such as {{Aristophanes}}, had elements that we would consider satiric. {{Horace}}, Persius, and {{Juvenal}} are perhaps the three most famous Roman satirists, ranging from good-natured (Horace disposing of a dreadful bore) to savage (Juvenal's condemnation of sodomites pretending to be philosophers). They are for the most part preoccupied with urban life, morality, and how other people suck.

See also {{Parody}}, {{Pastiche}}, {{Farce}}, MetaTropeIntro.

* ''TheDailyShow'' satirizes modern US and global news events, as does the SpinOff, ''TheColbertReport''. Whether their satire is Juvenalian or Horatian depends on the subject: FoxNewsChannel? Juvenalian (particularly when it comes to GlennBeck). BarackObama? Horatian. GeorgeWBush? Are we talking 2001-2006 or 2006-2009?[[hottip:*:First period is mostly Juvenalian, thanks to the Iraq War, etc., while second period he was seen as more or less pathetic, and leaned more Juvenalian.]] The rest of the media? What are they saying now? Etc., etc., etc.

** JonathanSwift in general, really.

* Superflat is a PoMo art movement that was started by Takashi Murakami who was inspired by HideakiAnno. It satirizes many aspects of Japan (particularly things sparked by {{Anime}}) such as consumerism, the prevalence of {{Kawaisa}}, {{Lolicon}}, and {{Fanservice}} along with the {{Otaku}} subculture that is the driving force behind all of them. ParanoiaAgent is the {{Anime}} embodiment of the superflat agenda. However, since certain artists associated with Superflat are lolicon otaku themselves, it could also be seen as a form of self-parody.

* Superflat is a PoMo art movement that was started by Takashi Murakami who was inspired by HideakiAnno. It satirizes many aspects of Japan (particularly things sparked by {{Anime}}) such as consumerism, the prevalence of {{Kawaisa}}, {{Lolicon}}, and {{Fanservice}} along with the {{Otaku}} subculture that is the driving force behind all of them. ParanoiaAgent is the {{Anime}} embodiment of the superflat agenda.

* Superflat is a PoMo art movement that was started by Takashi Murakami who was inspired by HideakiAnno. It satirizes many aspects of Japan (particularly things sparked by {{Anime}}) such as consumerism, the prevalence of {{Kawaisa}}, {{Lolicon}}, and {{Fanservice}} along with the {{Otaku}} subculture that is the driving force behind all of them. ParanoiaAgent is the {{Anime}} embodiment of the superflat agenda. Also KanyeWest [[CompletelyMissingThePoint had Murakami do the album art for "Graduation" because he liked the style]].

[[AC: Western Animation]]
* The more recent seasons of [[{{SouthPark}} South Park]] run this trope into the ground.

* The ''{{Dilbert}}'' comic strip is a satire of the corporate world.

* ''TheDailyShow'' satirizes modern US and global news events, as does the SpinOff, ''TheColbertReport''. Whether their satire is Juvenalian or Horatian depends on the subject: FoxNewsChannel? Juvenalian (particularly when it comes to GlennBeck). BarackObama? Horatian. The rest of the media? What are they saying now? Etc., etc., etc.

* Alexander Pope's ''TheRapeOfTheLock'' is mocking the hubbub that sprang up when a friend of his cut a woman's lock of hair. Long story short: [[TraumaticHaircut hair gets cut]], [[SillyReasonForWar war erupts]].

[[AC: Anime/Manga]]
* Do I even have to say ''SayonaraZetsuboSensei''?

[[AC: Comic Books]]

* ''TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemen'' comic book is a {{deconstruction}}ed satire of Victorian era fiction and values.

[[AC:Film]]

[[AC:Live Action Television]]

[[AC: Literature]]

[[AC: Newspaper Comics]]

[[AC: Radio]]

[[AC: Art]]

* Superflat is a PoMo art movement that was started by Takashi Murakami who was inspired by HideakiAnno. It satirizes many aspects of Japan (particularly things sparked by {{Anime}}) such as consumerism, the prevalence of {{Kawaisa}}, {{Lolicon}}, and {{Fanservice}} along with the {{Otaku}} subculture that is the driving force behind all of them. ParanoiaAgent is the {{Anime}} embodiment of the superflat agenda. Also KanyeWest [[CompletelyMissingThePoint had Murakami do the album art for "Graduation" because he liked the style]].
* Dada was a PoMo movement that was a satire of modern art and post-WWI malaise.

[[AC: Other]]
* This is what EncyclopediaDramatica claims its most offensive articles are. And we'll leave it at that.

* Do I even have to say ''SayonaraZetsuboSensei''

* Jonathan Swift's ''A Modest Proposal''. One of the most Juvenalian works ever produced.
** Jonathan Swift in general, really.

* ''TheDailyShow'' satirizes modern US and global news events, as does the SpinOff, ''TheColbertReport''. Whether their satire is Juvenalian or Horatian depends on the subject: FoxNewsChannel? Juvenalian (particularly when it comes to GlennBeck). BarackObama? Horatian. Etc., etc., etc.

* ''TheDailyShow'' satirizes modern US and global news events, as does the SpinOff, ''TheColbertReport''. Both are usually quite Juvenalian, although Jon Stewart moves into Horatian territory from time to time.

* ''{{Frontline}}'' satirized Australian news reportage in the 1990s.

* ''[=~The Devil's Dictionary~=]'', satirizing a wide variety of topics. Notably contains an entry on "satire" teeming with sarcastic disdain for those who don't get satire.

[[quoteright:391:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Voltaire.png]]
[[caption-width-right:391:[[FrancoisMarieArouet "Voltaire"]] is watching you.]]

* RoyalCanadianAirFarce satirized Canadian politics and current events and just about every other aspect of of Canadian life in its long run. It was something of a {{FollowTheLeader forerunner}} for several of the shows on this list and certainly for Canadian television
* ThisHourHasTwenty-TwoMinutes was a satirical presentation of current events and was shown in a news format. It was known for having strictly Newfoundland performers and a particularly eastern perspective on things

* ''HaveIGotNewsForYou''