In this episode Mitch takes a look at examples of satire throughout history, from early forms of the genre to modern examples and the response to them. In addition to providing examples of satire done well, these stories examine the responses of power structures to the humor and criticism aimed at them by satirists. In the United States, satirists are probably not going to be tortured or imprisoned for publishing songs and comics critical of the government--not so in other countries around the world. Mitch looks at the stories of Russian band Pussy Riot, Iranian cartoonist Atena Farghadani, as well as two examples when satirical works did indeed find their creators landed in the American court system.

Works Cited

Bonatch, Laken. “Aristophanes: Get to Know the Master of Ancient Greek Comedy.” The Collector, 14 Apr. 2024, www.thecollector.com/aristophanes-ancient-greek-comedy/.

‌“Free Atena, Imprisoned for Drawing Cartoons in Iran.” @AmnestyUK, 2015, web.archive.org/web/20150704040410/amnesty.org.uk/actions/free-atena-farghadani-iran-prison-drawing-cartoons-artist.

‌Goldhill, Simon. "Good dirty fun: Some of the difficulties and pleasures of translating the plays of Aristophanes." TLS. Times Literary Supplement, no. 5918, 2 Sept. 2016, pp. 9+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A635435637/GPS?u=denver&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=a13e0784.

Harding, Luke. “Pussy Riot Release New Protest Song: ‘Prison Is a Weapon.’” The Guardian, The Guardian, 3 Feb. 2016, www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/03/russia-pussy-riot-latest-punk-protest-prison-selective-weapon.

“Hustler Magazine, Inc. V. Falwell, 485 U.S. 46 (1988).” Justia Law, supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/485/46/.

‌“Iranian Artist Goes on Trial for Cartoon Mocking Draft Law.” BBC News, 19 May 2015, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32794053.

“Novak v. Parma.” Institute for Justice, ij.org/case/novak-v-parma/.

“Novak v. City of Parma, Ohio, No. 21-3290 (6th Cir. 2022).” Justia Law, law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca6/21-3290/21-3290-2022-04-29.html.

‌“Pussy Riot - CHAIKA.” YouTube, YouTube Video, 3 Feb. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=VakUHHUSdf8.

Shaw, Anny. “Iranian Artist Atena Farghadani Freed after More than a Year in Prison.” The Art Newspaper - International Art News and Events, 4 May 2016, www.theartnewspaper.com/2016/05/04/iranian-artist-atena-farghadani-freed-after-more-than-a-year-in-prison.

Taylor, Tom. “At War with Russian Oppression: A Brief History of Pussy Riot and Eastern Punk.” Far out Magazine, 22 Mar. 2022, faroutmagazine.co.uk/pussy-riot-and-eastern-punk-at-war-russia/.

Trainor, John Hayward. Ubu’s Moment: Four Resurrected Histories of the 1896 Premiere of Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi. 2024.