Journal Entry #7

How is the concept of wealth developed in Juvenal’s satires? How is this different or similar to that of Twain’s development of the same subject in Innocents Abroad? What role does hypocrisy play in relation to these concepts of wealth in both authors’ satirical works?

Juvenal’s satires depict the concept of wealth tremendously different than Twain. In Juvenal’s satires wealth is developed as leading to hypocrisy, a power trip of the rich, and the fact that they disregard any care for the poor. Due to this fact, this kind of society is most likely going to lead to corruption and wrongdoing. This is different that Twain because Twain portrays how spending more money on churches is hurting the society and the government is not doing anything to help its people get off the streets. Although both authors describe wealth as leading to hypocrisy, the reasoning and motives for their decisions differ. Twain believes the church is constructing these beautiful buildings and spending their money on the churches because they want to be the best and not necessarily thinking bad about the poor but just not realizes what their responsibility to the people might be. Juvenal, on the other hand, describes the people realizing that money is corrupt and they are purposely being harmful to the poor individuals.

How are the themes of sedition and free speech in Juvenal similar/different to those in Twain’s satire?
In Twain’s satire, because he has free speech rights, I don’t think he quite understands why the Italian’s do not do something about their predicament they are in. The fact that they do not have the rights is another way he satirizes because when they do say something nothing ever gets done. Juvenal, on the other hand, almost admits that nobody ever says anything worthwhile, or intelligent enough to matter, so free speech rights are almost non existent, for the lack of intellect.

How are artists, poets, and patrons of the arts depicted similarly/differently by the two authors?
Juvenal seems to be satirizing both the artists, poets, and the patrons. He makes fun of the creators for catering too closely to what the people wish to see instead of what the artist actually feels and having their own style. Twain, again, is astonished at the work that is being completed in the churches, but at the same time thinks it is ridiculously overdone.

What is “noble” according to Juvenal’s narrator?
“Nobel” is Juvenal’s words is basically the qualities of what a good person with a high standard of good morals would possess. This would include: not being selfish, respecting the law, loving and providing for their family, respecting the Senate, stand up for what they believe in, and respecting freedom and the power of God.

Cite a passage from each of the four satires by Juvenal which amused you and say why. What literary mechanisms or rhetorical devices did Juvenal use for each?
First: “Hence come sudden deaths, too sudden for old men to make wills. What a good laugh for the town at all of the dinner tables! Hear the disgruntled friends cheer at the funeral service!” mockery

Fifth: “He soaks his fish in the best olive oil; you get some pale coleslaw Reeking of stuff that would smell very fine if used in a lantern, Grease that has ridden the Nile in the meanest African lighters.” juxtaposition

Seventh: “If a man’s going to law, the first thing he has to consider is, do you have eight slaves, a littler, companions in togas walking ahead as you go?” hyperbole
Eighth: “The chests of his forebears were hairy; look at him, though, with his butt all smoothed by Catanian pumice!” burlesque.

Eighth: The Eighth Satire: “The chests of his forebears were hairy; look at him, though, with his butt all smoothed by Catanian pumice!” burlesque.