The Two Noble Kinsmen

by William Shakespeare

The Two Noble Kinsmen: Satire 1 key example

Definition of Satire

Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of satire, but satirists can take... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians, are often the subject of... read full definition
Satire is the use of humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize something or someone. Public figures, such as politicians... read full definition
Act 3, Scene 5
Explanation and Analysis—The Schoolmaster :

In one of the play’s few comedic scenes, a local Schoolmaster attempts to lead the Country Folk in a short dance and theatrical performance, to be performed for Theseus, the Duke of Athens. Shakespeare and Fletcher satirize both the rustic and simple villagers, and the pretensions of the Schoolmaster. When the villagers struggle to follow his directions, the Schoolmaster states: 

Fie, fie, what tediosity and disinsanity
is here among you! Have my rudiments been labored so long with you, milked unto you, and, by a figure, even the very plum broth and marrow of my understanding laid upon you, and do you still cry “Where?” and “How?” and “Wherefore?” […] Proh deum, medius fidius, you are all dunces! Forwhy, here stand I; here the Duke comes; there are you, close in the thicket; the Duke appears; I meet him and unto him I utter learnèd things and many figures; he hears, and nods, and hums, and then cries “Rare!” and I go forward.