Final answer:
Satire uses humor and exaggeration to criticize societal vices or, often in the form of literary works or visual arts like political cartoons and modern memes. This technique underscores issues through exaggerating physical traits or behaviors and is portrayed in various forms such as 'Comedy of Manners' and works by authors like Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about a form of social criticism known as satire, which involves the use of humor, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose and criticize people's or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other societal issues. When cartoonists exaggerate certain features or behaviors, they aim to highlight various aspects of the subject they are satirizing. For instance, by magnifying the physical characteristics of individuals or things, cartoonists are able to emphasize and critique the underlying issues effectively.
Works like Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift or plays by Oscar Wilde are classic examples of literature that use this type of humor. These works often highlighted the absurdity of societal norms and authorities through witty dialogue and exaggerated situations. Moreover, a Comedy of Manners focuses on the societal classes and their behaviors, especially ridiculing the aristocracy, to reveal the critical view inherent in the comedic portrayal.
Finally, in contemporary culture, memes employ hyperbole much like cartoonists do. They superimpose text over images to create a dramatic, often humorous critique of everyday situations, thereby making them a modern form of satirical expression.