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fandomhigh2005-11-15 11:20 am
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Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson Four
Tuesday, November 15, 1:00PM FST
[Students entering the classroom will notice two things: first, that Professor Chaucer is busy at his desk writing, and second, that he looks as though he may have been in some sort of fight. Once everyone is assembled, he stands and addresses the class.]
For this class and the next we'll be studying two types of Greek literature: the comedy and the epic. Your reading for today was The Clouds by Aristophanes. This is an excellent example of a literary form called satire.
[Lecture] Satire is a literary technique of writing or art which exposes the follies of its subjec to ridicule, often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. In Celtic societies, it was thought a bard's satire could have physical effects, similar to a curse. The humor of such a satire tends to be subtle, using irony and deadpan humor liberally. Most satire has specific, readily identifiable targets.
The burlesque form of satire can also be segregated into two distinct categories: High burlesque, or taking subject matter which is crude in nature and treating it in a lofty style, or low burlesque, taking subject matter traditionally dealt with in an epic or poetic fashion and degrading it.
In western European literature, satire has been an accepted form of social commentary since the 5th century B.C., principally in the form of plays and poetry. Aristophanes is one of the best known early satirists. Other prominent satirists from antiquity include Horace and Juvenal, who were active during the early days of the Roman Empire and are the two most influential Latin satirists.
There are few examples of satire in Europe following the fall of Rome, until with the birth of modern vernacular literature in the 12th century it began to make a comeback. However, direct satirization of public figures was rare and heavy use was made of allegories; literary figures were occasionally satirized, but rarely actual people or institutions.
More direct social commentary via satire did not return until the 16th century, when farcical texts such as the works of Rabelais tackled more serious issues (and incurred the wrath of the crown as a result). But the greatest satirists emerged with the Age of Enlightenment, an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th century advocating rationality. Here, astute and biting satirization of institutions and individuals became a popular weapon. Foremost among these is Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), arguably the greatest prose satirist in the English language.
The essence of satire is aggression or criticism, providing a systematic measure of good and bad. An object is criticized because it falls short of some standard which the critic desires it to reach. Satire serves a corrective purpose, expressed by ridiculing or otherwise attacking those conditions the satirist sees as needing reform.
The best satire does not seek to do harm or damage by its ridicule, but rather to create a shock of recognition and to make vice repulsive so that it will be expunged from the person or society under attack, or from the person or society intended to benefit by the attack. This shock is generally conveyed through laughter or wit: the formula for satire is one of honey and medicine. Far from being simply destructive, satire is implicitly constructive, and satirists themselves often depict themselves as constructive critics.
[Discussion] Aristophanes' chief target for satire in The Clouds is the philosopher Socrates. In fact, Socrates himself blamed this play for the negative reputation he was forced to endure throughout his life. Using The Clouds as an example of how satire can have social and political ramifications, I'd like you to present an example of how satire could change the way the students and faculty here at Fandom High view any one well-known figure here at the school. Keep in mind that this is an exercise in exploring how people's perceptions can be manipulated, not an excuse to belittle or denegrate anyone.
***Assignment for next week: Read Books I, IX, and XII of Homer's Odyssey.***
A Note About Student Projects: Please keep in mind that the end of term project I assigned was to read a work NOT on the assigned reading list, and the prepare an essay that will be presented in class. We'll be doing the in-class presentations in December. Any students with questions can contact me at my office hours or via my voicemail.
[Students entering the classroom will notice two things: first, that Professor Chaucer is busy at his desk writing, and second, that he looks as though he may have been in some sort of fight. Once everyone is assembled, he stands and addresses the class.]
For this class and the next we'll be studying two types of Greek literature: the comedy and the epic. Your reading for today was The Clouds by Aristophanes. This is an excellent example of a literary form called satire.
[Lecture] Satire is a literary technique of writing or art which exposes the follies of its subjec to ridicule, often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. In Celtic societies, it was thought a bard's satire could have physical effects, similar to a curse. The humor of such a satire tends to be subtle, using irony and deadpan humor liberally. Most satire has specific, readily identifiable targets.
The burlesque form of satire can also be segregated into two distinct categories: High burlesque, or taking subject matter which is crude in nature and treating it in a lofty style, or low burlesque, taking subject matter traditionally dealt with in an epic or poetic fashion and degrading it.
In western European literature, satire has been an accepted form of social commentary since the 5th century B.C., principally in the form of plays and poetry. Aristophanes is one of the best known early satirists. Other prominent satirists from antiquity include Horace and Juvenal, who were active during the early days of the Roman Empire and are the two most influential Latin satirists.
There are few examples of satire in Europe following the fall of Rome, until with the birth of modern vernacular literature in the 12th century it began to make a comeback. However, direct satirization of public figures was rare and heavy use was made of allegories; literary figures were occasionally satirized, but rarely actual people or institutions.
More direct social commentary via satire did not return until the 16th century, when farcical texts such as the works of Rabelais tackled more serious issues (and incurred the wrath of the crown as a result). But the greatest satirists emerged with the Age of Enlightenment, an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th century advocating rationality. Here, astute and biting satirization of institutions and individuals became a popular weapon. Foremost among these is Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), arguably the greatest prose satirist in the English language.
The essence of satire is aggression or criticism, providing a systematic measure of good and bad. An object is criticized because it falls short of some standard which the critic desires it to reach. Satire serves a corrective purpose, expressed by ridiculing or otherwise attacking those conditions the satirist sees as needing reform.
The best satire does not seek to do harm or damage by its ridicule, but rather to create a shock of recognition and to make vice repulsive so that it will be expunged from the person or society under attack, or from the person or society intended to benefit by the attack. This shock is generally conveyed through laughter or wit: the formula for satire is one of honey and medicine. Far from being simply destructive, satire is implicitly constructive, and satirists themselves often depict themselves as constructive critics.
[Discussion] Aristophanes' chief target for satire in The Clouds is the philosopher Socrates. In fact, Socrates himself blamed this play for the negative reputation he was forced to endure throughout his life. Using The Clouds as an example of how satire can have social and political ramifications, I'd like you to present an example of how satire could change the way the students and faculty here at Fandom High view any one well-known figure here at the school. Keep in mind that this is an exercise in exploring how people's perceptions can be manipulated, not an excuse to belittle or denegrate anyone.
***Assignment for next week: Read Books I, IX, and XII of Homer's Odyssey.***
A Note About Student Projects: Please keep in mind that the end of term project I assigned was to read a work NOT on the assigned reading list, and the prepare an essay that will be presented in class. We'll be doing the in-class presentations in December. Any students with questions can contact me at my office hours or via my voicemail.
LECTURE QUESTIONS
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DISCUSSION
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CHATTING
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"Would you mind staying a few minutes after class today?"
[ooc: If you do, would you post it in the Office Hours (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomhigh/360906.html?view=17184458#t17184458) thread? :)]
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because the player has already started reading it." She peers a little more closely at the bruises on his face. "How're you feeling today?"Re: CHATTING
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OOC
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So we can't choose any of those? We must choose a totally new work? Just making sure ;)
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