Hilarious Flaws
Karrie Yusefzad
English 12
Instructor Wilder
6 November 2013
Hilarious Flaws Whether it is via film, late night television shows, newspapers, comics, or literature, satire is found virtually everywhere. Satire reminds and teaches us as humans to laugh at ourselves every once in a while, as well as directs us to acknowledge and accept our own imperfections as we strive to become perfect people. Satire helps us as humans take a step back and see what life is truly about. Late night television shows such as Saturday Night Live, which has been on television since 1975, are created just to satire humanity, actors make jokes out of political and social situations on the weekly segment Weekend Update. These jokes, wherever they are from, help us understand who we are and who we want to be. It allows us to celebrate the life that we live, no matter how bad it can get, in fact making the situation humorous may even make it easier to handle. Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” celebrates and satires humanity, especially the “everyman”, in his story he included to characters in particular, one representing the best of humanity and the other illustrating the worst. Chaucer practically idolizes the Knight, who represents everything us humans aspire to be. “He was of sovereign value in all eyes. And though so much distinguished, he was wise and in his bearing modest as a maid. He never yet a boorish thing had said in all his life to any, come what might; he was a true, perfect gentle-knight.” (Chaucer 69-74) Chaucer says that though the knight had been through so many brave and amazing situations, from Alexandria to Prussia, fought against the Turks, and in Granada, he had never once been over confident; he remained as modest as one could be. The Knight symbolizes everything good in a human, Chaucer does not satire him at all; however, it is the complete opposite with the Pardoner. The Pardoner symbolizes the lowest a man could get, he cheats, he steals,
English 12
Instructor Wilder
6 November 2013
Hilarious Flaws Whether it is via film, late night television shows, newspapers, comics, or literature, satire is found virtually everywhere. Satire reminds and teaches us as humans to laugh at ourselves every once in a while, as well as directs us to acknowledge and accept our own imperfections as we strive to become perfect people. Satire helps us as humans take a step back and see what life is truly about. Late night television shows such as Saturday Night Live, which has been on television since 1975, are created just to satire humanity, actors make jokes out of political and social situations on the weekly segment Weekend Update. These jokes, wherever they are from, help us understand who we are and who we want to be. It allows us to celebrate the life that we live, no matter how bad it can get, in fact making the situation humorous may even make it easier to handle. Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” celebrates and satires humanity, especially the “everyman”, in his story he included to characters in particular, one representing the best of humanity and the other illustrating the worst. Chaucer practically idolizes the Knight, who represents everything us humans aspire to be. “He was of sovereign value in all eyes. And though so much distinguished, he was wise and in his bearing modest as a maid. He never yet a boorish thing had said in all his life to any, come what might; he was a true, perfect gentle-knight.” (Chaucer 69-74) Chaucer says that though the knight had been through so many brave and amazing situations, from Alexandria to Prussia, fought against the Turks, and in Granada, he had never once been over confident; he remained as modest as one could be. The Knight symbolizes everything good in a human, Chaucer does not satire him at all; however, it is the complete opposite with the Pardoner. The Pardoner symbolizes the lowest a man could get, he cheats, he steals,