The Cambridge Introduction to Satire

In Satire Evil Folly And Weakness Are Held Up To Ridicule - To The Delight Of Some And The Outrage Of Others. Satire May Claim The Higher Purpose Of Social Critique Or Moral Reform Or It May Simply Revel In Its Own Transgressive Laughter. It Exposes Frauds Debunks Ideals Binds Communities Starts Arguments And Evokes Unconscious Fantasies. It Has Been A Central Literary Genre Since Ancient Times And Has Become Especially Popular And Provocative In Recent Decades. This New Introduction To Satire Takes A Historically Expansive And Theoretically Eclectic Approach Addressing A Range Of Satirical Forms From Ancient Renaissance And Enlightenment Texts Through Contemporary Literary Fiction Film Television And Digital Media. The Beginner In Need Of A Clear Readable Overview And The Scholar Seeking To Broaden And Deepen Existing Knowledge Will Both Find This A Lively Engaging And Reliable Guide To Satire Its History And Its Continuing Relevance In The World.