Final answer:
Satire is a literary device that critiques human failings using humor, exaggeration, or ridicule. The types of satire include Horatian, Menippean, and Juvenalian, each with its tone—from light-hearted to morally indignant—and focus, from general human attitudes to society's specific vices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of Satire
Satire is a literary form used to critique human vices or societal shortcomings. It often entails the use of humor, exaggeration, or ridicule to make its point, aiming to provoke thought or reform. There are various types of satire, each with distinct characteristics. Here are the definitions for Horatian, Menippean, and Juvenalian satire:
- Horatian satire is named after the Roman poet Horace, which aims to amuse and criticize gently. Its tone is light-hearted and witty, aiming to prompt a smile rather than outrage.
- Menippean satire criticizes mental attitudes rather than societal norms or specific individuals. It tends to attack intellectual pretensions and is characterized by a nonspecific target.
- Juvenalian satire, named after the poet Juvenal, is harsher and more pointed. It is often bitter and criticizes corruption or incompetence with contempt and moral indignation.
The types of novels classified under satire can consequently reflect the characteristics of the satire subtype they embrace.