Because the world needs more laughs, my Satire Series continues with yet another installment. There’s a lot to Satire. So far, I’ve been breaking it down by nuance and showing examples. Today I’m examining sarcasm in satire. There’s a LOT of it.

If you’ve stumbled across my blog for the first time, do scroll back to read the first posts on the topic. Who knew Satire was such a vast human expression? Should you enjoy my eclectic posts, I invite you to subscribe. My interests are broad and varied. You can tell by my tag cloud that I blog just about everything! 

Here’s a short recap if you’re stopping here for the first time:

Satire~ The word satire owes its roots to the Latin for well-fed as in saturated and sated. Makes sense to me. Being well-fed feels good and so does having a good laugh. 

An interesting tidbit~ Sarcasm is a form of ironic language intended to convey scorn or insult. It can be mocking, dismissive, or  contemptuous. Not surprisingly, the root of the word sarcasm actually means to strip off the flesh. No kidding.

Here’s an example: A sarcastic retort delivered by Prime Minister Winston Churchill  is considered history’s funniest use of sarcasm. Depending on which version you read, the first salvo was dropped by either socialist MP Bessie Braddock, or Lady Astor the first female MP (MP is short for Member of Parliament). Whatever her name, the woman accused him of being” disgustingly drunk”, to which the Prime Minister responded: “My dear, you are ugly, and what’s more, you are disgustingly ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be disgustingly ugly.”

Ouch.

Who could forget this gem from Groucho Marx? “I never forget a face, but in your case I’ll be glad to make an exception.”

Now that’s funnier. And I’ll bet you read it in his voice.
😀

The Marx brothers had several hilarious movies driven by each brother’s personality.  Groucho was known for his witty sarcasm. I think the greatest example of sarcastic satire is the Roast where the guest of honor is served dinner and teasing insults. I found two great examples of the Roast, one older and one from two years ago. The first is a clip of Groucho Marx at a roast for Johnny Carson.

In the next clip Ricky Gervais opens the 2010, 2011, 2012 Golden Globes with more than a dash of lovely British sarcasm.

Tomorrow in satire ~ juxtaposition.

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“The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue.”
~Antisthenes

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