Dryden's A Discourse Considering the Original and Progress of Satire:

In this excerpt, Dryden discusses the process and technique of writing satirically. He really seems to hit on an important part of satire, which is also the aspect that makes it so difficult to write: one mustn't come out and SAY what they're trying to express, but must demonstrate their point without explicitly stating it. "How hard to make a man appear a fool, a blockhead, or a knave without using any of those opprobrious terms" (Dryden 2131). Instead, Dryden maintains, "to do the thing more severely, is to draw a full face, and to make the nose and cheeks stand out, and yet not to employ any depth of shadowing" (2131). Dryden also indicates the level of skill it takes to effectively write satire, stating that "this is the mystery... which yet no mater can teach to his apprentice" (2131). In other words, satire cannot be taught as a step-by-step process; one must possess the capacity to write satire, and only practical use can sharpen this skill.

Dryden also expresses how the form of satire makes it possible for writers to criticize powerful forces and people of their time without retribution. "A witty man is ticked while he is hurt in this manner, and a fool feels it not;" in other words, if the person you are satirizing is witty enough to recognize the satire, he must be impressed and entertained by your wit even while he is hurt by it, and a stupid subject will not even have the wit to decipher that the satire makes fun of him (2131). This, explains Dryden, is what makes satire such a powerful literary form. While it can be complex to write, it permits writers to safely and effectively express their opinions and discontent regarding contemporary culture.