Key Difference – Caricature vs Cartoon
Caricatures and cartoons are types of illustrations often seen in newspapers and magazines. A cartoon is a simple drawing, usually created for humor, whereas a caricature is a style that exaggerates specific features of a person to produce a comic or grotesque effect. The main difference between the two is that caricatures are often used for political purposes, while cartoons are typically used for humor.
Key Takeaways
- A caricature exaggerates certain characteristics of a person for a comic or grotesque effect.
- A cartoon is a simplified drawing intended to create humor.
- Caricatures are often used for political purposes, while cartoons are typically used for humor.
What is a Caricature?
A caricature is an illustration, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated to create a comic or grotesque effect. Caricatures often appear in newspapers and magazines and can be either complimentary or insulting. They can serve a political purpose or provide entertainment. Caricatures are commonly used in newspapers to criticize politicians and social issues. Editorial cartoons in news publications often tend to be caricatures.
A caricaturist is an artist who creates caricatures, drawing the natural characteristics of the subject as well as acquired characteristics and vanities. Caricature can also refer to a depiction of a person using exaggeration in literature. Many authors use caricatures to create humor, satire, and sarcasm in their work.
What is a Cartoon?
Cartoons are illustrations or a series of illustrations drawn in a non-realistic or semi-realistic artistic style, usually meant to evoke humor and laughter. Cartoons can be categorized into different types, such as editorial cartoons, gag cartoons, and comic strips. Gag cartoons consist of one drawing, usually depicting an everyday event with a twist. Editorial cartoons are found in news publications and use satire or irony to criticize something. Comic strips are a short series of drawings and speech bubbles in sequence.
Cartoons can also refer to animations – animated television shows and short movies, such as Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones, etc.
What is the difference between Caricature and Cartoon?
Definition:
- Caricature: A depiction of a person in which striking characteristics are exaggerated to create a comic or grotesque effect.
- Cartoon: A simple drawing that often creates a humorous effect.
Alternative Meanings:
- Caricature: Can refer to a portrayal of a person with exaggerated characteristics in literature.
- Cartoon: Can refer to a short animated television show or film.
Purpose:
- Caricature: Often used for political purposes.
- Cartoon: Used to create humor; editorial cartoons are often caricatures, which criticize social issues.
Uses:
- Caricature: Often used as editorial cartoons in newspapers, as celebrity caricatures in entertainment magazines, as gifts, and as souvenirs.
- Cartoon: Used as editorial cartoons, comic strips, panel comics, and animations.
