Satire Forms Of Drama: A Comprehensive Guide to Joel Schechter's Work

Satire is a powerful literary device that uses humor, irony, and wit to critique human folly and vice. It has been a staple of dramatic literature for centuries, taking on various forms and styles to entertain and provoke audiences.

Satire (Forms of Drama)

by Joel Schechter

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2248 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	168 pages

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One of the most influential scholars on satire in drama is Joel Schechter. In his seminal work, "Satire Forms Of Drama," Schechter outlines six distinct forms of satire: parody, burlesque, travesty, irony, parable, and grotesque.

Each of these forms has its own unique characteristics, techniques, and historical evolution. By exploring Schechter's work, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of satire in drama.

1. Parody

Parody is a form of satire that imitates the style and form of an existing work, but subverts its content for comedic or critical purposes. Parody can range from gentle mockery to outright ridicule, and it often targets popular culture, political figures, or literary classics.

Some famous examples of parody in drama include:

• "The Frogs" by Aristophanes, which parodies Greek tragedy
• "Hamletmachine" by Heiner Müller, which parodies Shakespeare's "Hamlet"
• "The Book of Mormon" by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, which parodies Broadway musicals

2. Burlesque

Burlesque is a form of satire that exaggerates and distorts reality for comedic effect. Burlesque often involves slapstick humor, exaggerated characters, and absurd situations.

Some famous examples of burlesque in drama include:

• "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde, which satirizes Victorian society
• "Noises Off" by Michael Frayn, which satirizes the backstage antics of a theater company
• "The Producers" by Mel Brooks, which satirizes Broadway musicals

3. Travesty

Travesty is a form of satire that degrades or debases a serious work of art or literature. Travesty often involves vulgar language, crude humor, and irreverent treatment of sacred or revered subjects.

Some famous examples of travesty in drama include:

• "The Revenger's Tragedy" by Thomas Middleton, which satirizes revenge tragedies
• "The Duchess of Malfi" by John Webster, which satirizes courtly society
• "Titus Andronicus" by William Shakespeare, which satirizes Elizabethan revenge tragedies

4. Irony

Irony is a form of satire that uses incongruity or contradiction to create a humorous or critical effect. Irony can be verbal, situational, or dramatic.

Some famous examples of irony in drama include:

• "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles, which features a tragic hero who unknowingly fulfills his own prophecy
• "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, which features a pair of star-crossed lovers who are destined to die
• "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett, which features two characters who wait endlessly for a Godot who never arrives

5. Parable

Parable is a form of satire that uses a simple story to teach a moral or ethical lesson. Parables are often used in religious or philosophical texts, but they can also be found in dramatic literature.

Some famous examples of parable in drama include:

• "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" from the Bible
• "The Parable of the Good Samaritan" from the Bible
• "The Parable of the Talents" from the Bible

6. Grotesque

Grotesque is a form of satire that uses exaggeration and distortion to create a sense of horror or disgust. Grotesque characters and situations often represent the dark side of human nature.

Some famous examples of grotesque in drama include:

• "King Ubu" by Alfred Jarry, which features a grotesque and tyrannical king
• "The Theater of the Absurd," which often features grotesque characters and situations
• "The Elephant Man" by Bernard Pomerance, which features a man with a severe facial deformity

Joel Schechter's work on satire in drama provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the various forms and techniques of this powerful literary device. By exploring the characteristics, techniques, and historical evolution of each form, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and diversity of satire in dramatic literature.

Whether it is through parody, burlesque, travesty, irony, parable, or grotesque, satire continues to play a vital role in drama, entertaining and provoking audiences while exposing the folly and vice of human nature.

Satire (Forms of Drama)

by Joel Schechter

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2248 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	168 pages

FREE