Good observations. As you point out, Socrates could laugh at people sometimes gently and sometimes not so gently. And Seneca was a satirist, but all good satirists send-up their targets with love - otherwise they're harsh and bitter and not funny. The love comes with the humour.
When you call Seneca a satirist, are you referring to his "apokolokintosis" or Pumpkinification of Claudius? Most of his work that I've seen is more on the tragic/dark end of things.
Yes, but also many of the Letters to Lucilius include satiric observations, e.g. in Letter 56, Seneca famously describes in satiric, but also exuberant, terms, the range of people who hang out at the 'gym and bath complex' under his apartment. It's funny as well as pointed.
Good observations. As you point out, Socrates could laugh at people sometimes gently and sometimes not so gently. And Seneca was a satirist, but all good satirists send-up their targets with love - otherwise they're harsh and bitter and not funny. The love comes with the humour.
When you call Seneca a satirist, are you referring to his "apokolokintosis" or Pumpkinification of Claudius? Most of his work that I've seen is more on the tragic/dark end of things.
Yes, but also many of the Letters to Lucilius include satiric observations, e.g. in Letter 56, Seneca famously describes in satiric, but also exuberant, terms, the range of people who hang out at the 'gym and bath complex' under his apartment. It's funny as well as pointed.
Good point!