Which characteristic defines Menippean Satire?

Menippean Satire is characterized by its rhapsodic blending of prose and verse, which allows for a rich, varied exploration of themes and ideas. This style offers flexibility and encourages experimentation, enabling writers to combine narrative and poetic elements in a way that enhances both humor and critique. Such a format can delve into complex social, philosophical, and cultural issues, making it distinct from other forms of satire that may adhere more strictly to conventional structures.

The other options do not align with the defining traits of Menippean Satire. A purely dramatic format with no prose does not capture the breadth of styles used in Menippean Satire, while strict adherence to poetic forms is contrary to its blending approach. Utilization of traditional comedic arcs focuses on specific narrative structures typically found in different comedic genres rather than the broad, eclectic mix characteristic of Menippean Satire.