Let’s get comical!
We delved into some of the techniques used to write great comedy, focusing on parody and caricature and how they relate to satire.
We then looked at CARICATURE, which is a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect. Caricature is very similar to parody, and can be thought of as parody which operates at the level of the character rather than the text or genre. As an example recall Shakespeare’s mechanicals in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or Arthur Dent in A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Lastly, we moved to looking at SATIRE which is the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Satire can and often does use parody and caricature as a means of emphasising absurdity. Good examples include textual classic Animal Farm and modern film Isn’t it Romantic
TO SUMMARISE:
Parody = imitation+exaggeration [writer, artist, genre] ~ humorous effect
Caricature = imitation+exaggeration [person, character, type] ~ humorous effect
Satire = parody/caricature/other [relevant socio-political issue] ~ criticise and expose
We finished off with a prompt table and the group produced a lot of diverse and fantastic comic pieces! You pick one, two, or three sections (depending on how much you want to challenge yourself!) and select one row from each of the sections you decide to attempt. The SATIRE sections doesn’t have prompts, only guiding thoughts, because your SATIRE should stem from your use of CARICATURE and/or PARODY.
CaricatureCelebrity/politicianCharacter type
[hero, damsel, businessperson, alternateen]
Human characteristic
[kindness, stupidity, aesthetic sense, ego]
Animaland/or ParodyGenre
[romance, scifi, historical]
Media
[news show, debate, presidential address, sports commentary]
Popular film or novel
Family
Satire[Optional] What are you trying to criticise? What are you trying to expose? What’s the point?
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