Does satire have to be funny?

Question

Satire had always been treated as humorous criticism at my middle school, but now at high school, they say it is just criticism hidden within a story. Which is correct??

Answer 1

I think that satire has become ASSOCIATED with humor, but it doesn't have to be. Satire can be humorous (think Saturday Night Live), or scathing like these posters I see all over Seattle
(http://www.freespeechseattle.org/replacementsneeded/english.jpg ).

It can be derisive, or downright rude.

Websites like TheOnion.com are very good at doing both humorous satire, as well as harsh satire.

The basic point is that satire is somewhat tongue-in-cheek; there's what the satire is saying sarcastically, and what is really MEANT by the sarcasm.

However, the latter definition you gave of satire is more correct because there are several different types, humorous satire just being one of them.

Answer 2

Not necessairly funny but always at someone else's expense. It's almost like 'YO mama jokes' They are always insulting and someone always laughs!

Definition of Satire
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/satire
A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit.

Answer 3

It's usually funny, but sometimes it is more cynical or sarcastic rather than humorous.

Answer 4

No, it does not have to be funny. Example: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.