According to Paul Simpson, author of “On the Discourse of Satire: Toward a Stylistic Model of Satirical Humor,” the successful projection of satire must accomplish “simultaneously a a number of humorous functions” (p. 4). In the introduction to his argument, Simpson states that satire as discourse should be understood "as a level of language organization that goes beyond that of the sentence and as a type of meaning potential that arises from the interaction between the text and the context” (p. 1). The juxtaposition Simpson describes here between text and context indicates how satire as a literary tool relies heavily on both interpretation and timeliness; whereby satirical references must entertain the current, local and relevant interests of its audience, so that the meaning of what is said is not lost. Simpson's argument is built around what is known as the "humor model" (Ziv 1988: 225; see also Ziv 1984), which describes five functions as the key elements of humor: sexual, defensive, aggressive, social and humorous. intellectual function. There are, however, three that Simpson considers to be "most directly relevant to satirical discourse" (p. 3): the aggressive, the social, and the intellectual. By extracting from Ziv's humor model only three of the five elements – neglecting the sexual and defensive functions of satirical discourse – Simpson's overall argument that “satire has a multifunctional character” is weakened. Examining the works of the classic satirists Sheridan, Pope, and Swift, who readily address the sexual and defensive functions of satirical speech, it becomes evident that Simpson neglects the strengths of the sexual and defensive functions. The works of these authors...... middle of paper ...... his heart. /Amazed, confused, he found his power expired, /Resigned to fate and retired with a sigh. Although both Sheridan and Pope engage the three functions, according to Simpson, as most relevant to satirical discourse: the social, the aggressive, and the intellectual – the sexual function can easily be determined as the dominant mode of discourse. Works cited “On the discourse of satire: towards a stylistic model of satirical humor”. Simpson, Paul. John Benjamins Publishing Company, November 2003. Web. February 24, 2011. “Juvenalian satire”. British Encyclopedia. Briannica Encyclopedia Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2011. Web. February 24, 2011. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/308986/Juvenalian-satire “The Norton Anthology of English Literature.” Eighth edition. WW Norton & Company Ltd., Castle House, 75/76 Wells Street, London. 2006.