The only belittling of torture here would probably making things look worse than they actually are.
Such as:
The Executioner had the victim set up beside the rack as he prepped the guillotine overhead. This particular victim would get the worst torture yet.... 
The Guillotine came down on a lemon wedge the executioner then placed into his honey tea and the rack near the victim a maid was setting dishes to dry. The Executioner then took a seat in the armchair across from the victim, put on his reading spectacles and set the tea down beside him. From the table beside him he drew out the book; Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. The Victim began to scream and the executioner opened the book.
"Chapter one..."