PARODY

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PARODY

• DEFINITION
• EXAMPLES

2
Definition Parody

• Dictionary meaning a humorous or satirical
  imitation of a serious piece of literature or
  writing.
• Wikipedia definition a work created to mock,
  comment on, or poke fun at an original work, its
  subject, or author, or some other target, by
  means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation.

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The obvious point to know about parody

• In order to write parody, there has to be an
  original work that the poet refers to (either to
  criticize/satirize or make fun of). Therefore, as
  readers, we need to be familiar with that
  original work in order to fully understand what
  is being parodied.

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Function of Parody

• establishes a dialogue with the original work. In
  order to write a parody, you need to really
  understand the original work to reproduce its
  style and manner.
• a commentary on the original work for different
  purposes (make fun of, criticize/satirize etc.).
• The purpose of parody (though rarely) can be to
  be funny or witty make us laugh.
• provides a fresh perspective on the original work
  and what it represents. That fresh look might be
  about the poem or about something larger than the
  poem. For ex., pastoral vision can be criticized.
• sees the past through the perspective of the
  present/that particular moment the poet writes.

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Function of Parody

• When one writer parodies another writers work,
  it does not necessarily mean that the original
  poem is without merit.
• Acc. to critic Dwight Macdonald Most parodies
  are written out of admiration rather than
  contempt.
• Another critic, Geoffrey Grigson, argues
  Nobody is going to parody you if you havent
  style.

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Some parodies are written to adapt the original
poem to contemporary setting, so they might be
providing commentary on both the past and the
present

• To My Fans, on Becoming a Free Agent
•  Tell me not, fans, I am unkind
• For saying my good-bye
• And leaving your kind cheers behind
• While I to new fans fly.
•  
• True, I have lost your sweet embrace
• While on your rival's field
• But I have viewed the market place
• And seen what it can yield.
•  
• Though my disloyalty is such
• That all you fans abhor,
• It's not that I don't love you much
• I just love money more.
• Gene Fehler

• To Lucasta
• On Going to the Wars
• Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind,
• That from the nunnery
• Of thy chaste breasts, and quiet mind,
• To war and arms I fly.
• True, a new mistress now I chase,
• The first foe in the field
• And with a stronger faith embrace
• A sword, a horse, a shield.
• Yet this inconstancy is such,
• As you too shall adore
• I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
• Loved I not honour more.
• Richard Lovelace