grotesque
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grotesque
An artistic or literary genre or style that combines the comic, bizarre, and often also the horrifying in an exaggerated and distorted way.
Dürrenmatts Theaterstücke sind oft eine Mischung aus Tragödie und Groteske.
Dürrenmatt's plays are often a mixture of tragedy and grotesque.
The noun 'die Groteske' (the grotesque) is closely related to the adjective 'grotesk' (grotesque). If you understand that 'grotesk' means bizarre, distorted, or absurd, you will also understand the meaning of the noun.
Sein Verhalten war so übertrieben, es war schon grotesk.
His behavior was so exaggerated it was already grotesque.
You can recognize the artistic meaning from words like 'Literatur' (literature), 'Film' (film), or 'Kunst' (art). The meaning of an absurd situation refers to real life, often in connection with politics or social events.
Der Roman enthält viele Elemente der Groteske.
The novel contains many elements of the grotesque.
The word 'Groteske' (grotesque) belongs more to educated or elevated usage. It is often used in discussions about art and literature, or in critical comments on social events.
Der Kritiker bezeichnete den Film als Meisterwerk der Groteske.
The critic described the film as a masterpiece of the grotesque.
When a situation is described as a 'Groteske' (grotesque), verbs such as 'sich entwickeln zu' (to develop into), 'enden in' (to end in), or 'grenzen an' (to border on) are often used.
Die Verhandlung drohte, in einer Groteske zu enden.
The trial threatened to end in a grotesque.
satire
'die Satire' and 'die Groteske' can both seem exaggerated and comic. 'die Satire', however, usually directs this mockery at a clear target, for example politics, the media, or social problems. It aims to criticize. 'die Groteske' tends to seem strange, distorted, absurd, and sometimes also somewhat unsettling. It does not necessarily have to contain a clear direct criticism. Learners may confuse the words because both art forms work with exaggeration. As a guide: 'Satire' often asks, 'What is being criticized?', while 'Groteske' is more likely to ask, 'Why does this seem so absurd and alienating?'
Das Theaterstück wurde zur Groteske, als die Figuren plötzlich wie Maschinen sprachen.
The play turned into a grotesque when the characters suddenly spoke like machines.
In der Satire wird ein reicher Politiker gezeigt, der angeblich nie Geld besitzt.
In the satire, a rich politician is shown who supposedly never has any money.