Seriously: How and Why Satire Works

Shakespeare was one of the great smart asses in the history of the world. Some of his characters that were cast as oafs, thieves, or swashbuckling double-talkers were real people who recognized themselves through obvious and intentional similarities. Do you know which characters were based upon actual people? Do you know the actual people who are portrayed as oafs through obvious and intentional similarities?

Neither do I. You know who else doesn't know the answer? Anybody who did not know Shakespeare, the actual person portrayed as an oaf, and the story behind why Willy Shakes might do such a thing.