Dryden's Satire

According to the first paragraph in "Of Satire," what is the purpose of satire? What does Dryden say in the second paragraph is the type of satire he admires most, and to what does he attribute one's ability to sue this type of satire successfully? What words does he use to show his disapproval of harsher forms of satire?


According to Dryden, the purpose of satire is to punish those who are wicked. To kind of ridicule them and point out their mistakes allowing them to correct themselves. It also serves as a deterrence by "hindering" them from committing horrible atrocities/sins by warning them of their foolishness (Horton 382). 


He describes the satire he admires the most as one of gentle mockery (Horton 382). He thinks that people are born with the ability to create good satire, while others who don't have the gift to create this "gentle mockery"  shouldn't attempt to copy those who do (Horton 328).


He uses words like "fool," "blockhead," and "knave" to describe the types of words that are used in harsher forms of satire. Dryden shows disapproval towards satires that incorporate these types of words. He feels that one should be able to express these words without using them; this is what he believes is great satire! 

Works Cited

Dryden, John. "Of Satire." British Literature. Ed. Ronald H. Horton. Greenville, SC: BJU Press, 2003. 382-383. Print