Exaggerations can be used to create humor and draw attention to the ridiculous aspects of a situation. This can make the satire more engaging and memorable for the audience. For example, in the novel "Candide" by Voltaire, the protagonist encounters a series of increasingly ridiculous events and characters, such as a talking parrot and a giant who is killed by a flea. These exaggerations serve to highlight the absurdity of the world Candide inhabits and to critique the optimism of the Enlightenment philosophy.
However, when exaggerations become too extreme or unrealistic, they can lose their satirical effect and simply become silly or cartoonish. This can be especially true if the exaggerations are not grounded in reality or if they are not supported by the rest of the satire. For example, if a satirical article about a political scandal uses exaggerations that are too outlandish, it may lose its credibility and fail to effectively convey its message.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of exaggerations in satire depends on the skill and judgment of the satirist. When used well, exaggerations can be a powerful tool to highlight the absurdity of a situation and to critique social, political, or cultural norms. However, when used poorly, they can undermine the satire and make it less effective.