COMEDY

104 POLITICSIt is the stated position of the United States Air Force that theirsafeguards would prevent the occurrence of such events as aredepicted in this film. Furthermore, it should be noted that none ofthe characters portrayed in this film are meant to represent anyreal persons living or dead.(Kubrick, 1964)The second half of this statement is not entirely true: President MerkinMuffley was based on Presidential candidate Adlai Stephenson, and themonstrous Strangelove is a concoction of various German scientistswhom the USA had adopted in a Faustian bargain, among them the V2rocket designer Werner von Braun. But the film’s insistence on itsfictionality reveals its acute sensitivity to the potential volatility of itssatire.Satire is derived from the Latin satura, which means ‘medley’, or‘hotchpotch’, and also described a type of dish, alluding to its origins incountry festivals and at feasts. Satire is usually categorized according tothe influence of two ancient Roman writers, Horace (65–8 BC) andJuvenal (AD c. 60–c. 136), often thought of as stylistically opposite.Horace is gentler, concerned with maintaining moral standards andwishing to improve the ethics of his contemporaries by suggesting apoint of equilibrium between extremes. His tone is amused but notscornful, appearing as a spokesperson for common sense, judiciousbalance, and ‘telling the truth with a smile’ (Horace, 1959:34). Centralto Horatian satire is a series of contrasts between the country and thecity, ideal and practical ethics, and the demands of public and privatelife. In all these, Horace is a poet of moderation, reserving his censurefor those who desire more than they need. Satire VI is typical ofHorace’s modesty and rejection of the ambition that ‘pulls everyoneforward, chained to the wheels/Of her gleaming chariot’. Addressing animagined politician, whose own status is derived from his father’selevated position, Horace, the son of a freed slave, says,…if nature arranged for us allAfter a specified time to begin life all over,Choosing parents who suited our fancy, I’d stick with mineAnd not go for persons distinguished in public life.The mob would think me insane, but you, perhaps, wouldn’t,For being unwilling to shoulder a load I’m not used to.If I took on this role, I’d straightaway need some more money,