THE ELEMENT OF SATIRE WITH RESPECT TO CHAUCER?S ?CANTERBURY TALES? :: essays research papers fc

THESISTHE ELEMENT OF SATIRE WITH RESPECT TO CHAUCERS CANTERBURY TALESIt is human nature to laugh when an event goes misuse or to make a mockery of an all too serious person. But what if authors had the power to use this instinct within humans to drive a point across? In fact they do and they call this literary toolsatire. Many authors have used this tool as a key in their writings others have only managed to throw in elements of satire here and there. However, there was one author who had mastered this literary tool, and who could use it to the extremes. He had the ability to use it as playfully and lightheartedly as if to just tease. But, in an instant, he could use it to denigrate a person and ruin all that was odd of their self-dignity. His name was Geoffrey Chaucer and his weapon of choice, satire.Satire is one of the most effective directions of writing. It allows the writer to use his imagination to the fullest and be as malicious as he deems necessary, yet not cause the r eader to leave in disgust (Highet 242). Satire is a phase angle of literature that readers expect to find some form of profound ideas. However, with satire comes a variation of the truth. While satire is grounded in truth, it is a tainted form. Distorted by the writer as a way of expressing an idea (Highet 234).It is not quite certain where the origins of satire started, but most believe that it was the Romans to first coin the term satire (Highet 24). Satura, meaning dish of mixed ingredients (HTTP//WWW.GALENET.COM/SERVLET/DC). Two men that could be credited with the title of The Grandfathers of Satire are the Roman poets Horace and Lucilius who wrote volumes of poetry, which included their own views on world politics, social fads, and the characters of their friends (Highet 24).Now, one essential ask oneself why would an author choose to write in satire? Possibly it was personal grudges (Highet 238). Or another reason may be to verbalize an ideal. In this case, the satire is n ot just to belittle a particular idea, but also to send a warning as an example (Highet 243). otherwise reasons for a satirist include, their personal feeling of inferiority or the desire to better society (Highet 240-241).Chaucer was as straightforward as a man place get (Wagenknecht 72). He saw the world as a down to earth fellow who was regarded as sweet (Wagenknecht 141).