Irony and Satire
“Irony is enormously satisfying perhaps because we know instinctively that
our carefully laid plans and ambitions and strivings often come to so little.”
Ray Bradbury
Situational irony is prevalent in many fables, fairytales, and myths. Often, a
What is the DRAMATIC
SITUATIONAL
IRONY
IRONY
in the
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Disney movies
comedy-tragedy)
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protagonist tries to escape a predicted fate, but in doing so, he/she actually
other words,in
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causes the feared outcome to occur (i.e. Oedipus).
I. Irony – kind of surprise; difference between
what is expected and what occurs
II. Types of Irony
A. Verbal Irony – saying one thing but
meaning another; similar to sarcasm
B. Situational Irony – when the opposite of
what we expect occurs (reversed expectations)
C. Dramatic Irony – when a reader knows
what a character does not (withheld knowledge)
III. Satire – writing or performance that uses ridicule to bring about
social or political reform
The satirist reveals human weaknesses in an attempt to expose and
eliminate human stupidity and wickedness. It is comedy with a purpose.
Monty Python
The English comedy troop known as Monty Python have created some of
The
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focuses on
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religion and
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the most famous satire in recent decades. The three movies above make
and
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born invalues.
a Bethlehem manger next dooritself.
to Jesus.
almost everything a target of satire.