Ancient Greece and Rome:
* Old Comedy: Greek playwrights like Aristophanes used satire to critique political figures, social norms, and philosophical ideas.
* Roman Satire: Roman writers like Horace and Juvenal used satire to comment on the vices and follies of their society.
Renaissance and Reformation:
* Humanism: Writers like Erasmus of Rotterdam used satire to critique the abuses of the Church and call for reform.
* Baroque: The Spanish Golden Age saw satirical works like Cervantes' *Don Quixote*, which mocked chivalry and idealism.
Enlightenment:
* Neoclassical Literature: Writers like Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, and Voltaire used satire to criticize the corruption and hypocrisy of their time, advocating for reason and progress.
* Romanticism: While generally less focused on satire, Romantic writers like Byron and Shelley used satire to critique societal norms and political injustices.
19th Century:
* Realism: Writers like Charles Dickens and Mark Twain used satire to expose social inequalities and the dark side of industrialization.
* Naturalism: Although more focused on depicting the harsh realities of life, Naturalists like Émile Zola incorporated satirical elements to criticize social structures and the hypocrisy of the powerful.
20th Century:
* Modernism: Writers like T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats, and George Orwell used satire to address the disillusionment and absurdity of modern life.
* Postmodernism: Writers like Kurt Vonnegut and Douglas Adams used satire to question societal norms, technology, and the nature of reality.
Modern Day:
* Contemporary Literature: Satire continues to be a vibrant genre, addressing contemporary issues like politics, consumerism, and social media. Writers like Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, and Jonathan Safran Foer use satire to expose the flaws and contradictions of modern society.
It's worth noting that satire can be found in various genres, including poetry, novels, plays, and even essays. While some literary movements embrace satire more explicitly, it has always been a powerful tool for writers to critique society and provoke change.