How Does Cepperello Use Satire In The Canterbury Tales To A Clockwork Orange
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Throughout history, satire has played a role in many literary works from The Canterbury Tales to A Clockwork Orange. Satire is an art form that is everlasting because something written hundreds of years ago can still be relatable to today’s society. According to the Oxford English Dictionary it defines satire as, “ The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize peoples stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues”(Oxforddictionaries.com). This definition of satire outlines the basic principles that you encounter in various stories. Using humor as a way to attack issues that trouble society is one of the main principles. Using an indirect approach is one of the shields writers can use to defend themselves from critics. By attacking certain aspects of society and using humor to mask your real views it allows you to say a lot more in your writing. The reason being…show more content… In this story of the evil Cepperello, his evil ways allow him to display his irreverence toward everyone, especially those of the law and the Catholic Church. Boccaccio’s satiric depiction of irreverence is shown through Cepperello’s actions. The act of his dishonesty to the friar was also one way he showed his irreverence because the friar is supposed to be respected because of their dedication to God. As shown in Cepperello’s entire description in the beginning of the story you can tell he prides himself on being irreverent toward all if not then he does not feel good about himself. In a description of Cepperello it says, “ Though he issued few instruments, nothing caused him greater shame than when one of them was found to be anything other than fraudulent” (Boccaccio 25). This example shows his irreverence toward everything he lives for. One other way Boccaccio used satire was addressed through