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Satire poetry uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize or mock human vices, follies, or societal shortcomings. The aim is not merely to entertain but to inform and provoke change, providing a lens through which to view and critique societal norms, politics, or human behavior.
Satire can be sharp and biting or gentle and amusing, depending on the poet’s intent. It’s a powerful tool for social commentary, capable of raising awareness and challenging the status quo. By making readers laugh, satire can make complex or controversial topics more accessible, inspiring reflection and discussion.
From the Roman poet Juvenal to modern poets, satire remains a potent form of poetic expression and critique.
‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer features January’s quest for a wife and the Merchant’s satirical views on marriage.
Whilom ther was dwellynge in Lumbardye
A worthy knyght, that born was of Payve,
In which he lyved in greet prosperitee;
And sixty yeer a wyflees man was hee,
This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer establishes January’s impossible expectations of a wife and his own shortcomings.
With face sad his tale he hath hem toold.
He seyde, "Freendes, I am hoor and oold,
And almoost, God woot, on my pittes brynke;
Upon my soule somewhat moste I thynke.
This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer introduces January’s friends and their opinions on marriage.
Diverse men diversely hym tolde
Of mariage manye ensamples olde.
Somme blamed it, somme preysed it, certeyn,
But atte laste, shortly for to seyn,
This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer revisits the counsel of January’s friends and introduces his new wife.
Heigh fantasye and curious bisynesse
Fro day to day gan in the soule impresse
Of Januarie aboute his mariage.
Many a fair shap and many a fair visage
This section of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ by Geoffrey Chaucer introduces January’s squire and provides details of the wedding night.
Mayus, that sit with so benyngne a chiere,
Hire to biholde it semed fayerye.
Queene Ester looked nevere with swich an ye
On Asseur, so meke a look hath she.
Part VI of Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘The Merchant’s Tale’ explores moral values as May and Damian begin their affair.
Now wol I speke of woful Damyan,
That langwissheth for love, as ye shul heere;
Therfore I speke to hym in this manere:
I seye, "O sely Damyan, allas!
In Part VIII, while May sets her adulterous plans into motion, deities Pluto and Proserpina debate about the nature of women.
This Januarie, as blynd as is a stoon,
With Mayus in his hand, and no wight mo,
Into his fresshe gardyn is ago,
And clapte to the wyket sodeynly.
‘Portrait of Zimri’ by John Dryden is a political satire that showcases how people in power can be consumed by hollow and pretentious self interest.
Some of their chiefs were princes of the land:
In the first rank of these did Zimri stand:
A man so various, that he seem'd to be
Not one, but all Mankind's Epitome.
‘Fra Freud’ is a poem about how Sigmund Freud’s wife counters one of his psychological theories with the use of humour and feminist philosophy.
Ladies, for argument's sake, let us say
that I've seen my fair share of ding-a-ling, member and jock,
Twain’s ‘Genius’ pokes fun at society’s view of genius, questioning the true nature of intellectual brilliance.
Geniuses are people who dash off weird, wild,
incomprehensible poems with astonishing facility,
and get booming drunk and sleep in the gutter.
‘The Lesson’ by Roger McGough is an interesting and unique satirical poem that depicts the violent result of a teacher’s built-up rage.
Chaos ruled OK in the classroom
as bravely the teacher walked in
the nooligans ignored him
his voice was lost in the din
Stevie Smith’s ‘Not Waving but Drowning’ is a tragic account of a dead man whose cry for help is mistakenly regarded as a mere greeting.
Nobody heard him, the dead man,
But still he lay moaning:
I was much further out than you thought
And not waving but drowning.
In Part IX, Damian and May enact their long-awaited plans to engage in adultery. Pluto ensures the two are discovered as he restores January’s sight.
Now lat us turne agayn to Januarie,
That in the gardyn with his faire May
Syngeth ful murier than the papejay,
"Yow love I best, and shal, and oother noon."
In Part VII of ‘The Merchant’s Tale’, Chaucer delves deep into symbolism as Damian and May make the final arrangements for their affair.
Somme clerkes holden that felicitee
Stant in delit, and therfore certeyn he,
This noble Januarie, with al his myght,
In honest wyse, as longeth to a knyght,
‘Translating the English, 1989’ is a bold and satirical poem that unpacks how English identity is marketed through clichés, contradictions, and surface-level pride, revealing the deeper problems hidden underneath.
Welcome to my country! We have here Edwina Currie
and The Sun newspaper. Much excitement.
Also the weather has been most improving
even in February. Daffodils. (Wordsworth. Up North.) If you like
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