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.
grotesque
An action, event, or situation that seems strange in an absurd, distorted, or ridiculous way.
Die politische Debatte entwickelte sich zu einer reinen Groteske.
The political debate developed into a pure 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
Satire and the grotesque can both appear exaggerated and comic. Satire is defined mainly by its critical or mocking intent, while the Groteske is defined by its distorted combination of the comic, the bizarre, and often the unsettling. For social criticism, Satire is the better choice; for this bizarre effect, Groteske is more appropriate.
Das Stück ist eine Groteske, in der lustige und befremdliche Szenen verzerrt zusammenkommen.
The play is a grotesque work in which funny and unsettling scenes come together in a distorted way.
Das Stück ist eine Satire, die den Umgang mit armen Menschen kritisiert.
The play is a satire that criticizes the way poor people are treated.
