Overview
This book examines the evolution of classical parody, from its origins in ancient Greece and Rome to its resurgence in modern times. The book explores two key periods: the first from the sixth century BCE to the second century CE, and the second beginning in the 17th century, continuing today. In antiquity, writers like Aristophanes and Lucian parodied their own culture, relying on audiences' deep knowledge of Greek and Roman texts. This “insider” parody faded with the rise of Christianity and changes in language. The second era of classical parody emerged during the Renaissance, as classical texts were rediscovered and studied in schools. Writers like Charles Cotton in England created “outsider” parody, mocking ancient literature learned in the classroom. This book focuses on English-language works, including The Comic Latin Grammar and Victorian burlesque theatre, which drew on classical mythology and history. The book also addresses the social and educational changes that shaped classical parody, such as the invention of the printing press and the influence of Renaissance humanism. It is the first comprehensive study of anglophone classical parody, revealing how authors through the centuries have reimagined and distorted classical texts for humorous effect.
Full Product Details
Author: William F. Hansen
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
ISBN: 9781350548039
ISBN 10: 1350548030
Pages: 296
Publication Date: 09 July 2026
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
College/higher education
,
Professional & Vocational
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Availability: Manufactured on demand 
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction PART I. CLASSICAL PARODY IN ANTIQUITY 1. Aristophanes, Scenes from Old Comedy 2. Matron of Pitane, Attic Dinner-Party 3. Pseudo-Homer, Battle of the Frogs and Mice 4. Plautus, Amphitruo 5. Ovid, Metamorphoses 6. Lucian of Samosata, Gout and A True Story, plus Lucian's Hoaxes 7. Visual Parodies Excursus 1 INTERMEZZO 8. Medieval Latin Parody 9. Byzantine Parody Excursus 2 PART II. THE REINVENTION OF CLASSICAL PARODY 10. Classical Parody Redivivus 11. [Charles Cotton], Scarronides: or, Virgil Travestie. A Mock Poem on the First and Fourth Books of Virgil’s Æneis, in English, Burlesque 12. [Jonathan Swift], Baucis and Philemon; A Poem. On the ever lamented Loss of the two Yew-Trees, in the Parish of Chilthorne, Near the County Town of Somerset 13. [Thomas Bridges], A Burlesque Translation of Homer 14. Musical Theatre 15. Mock Textbooks 16. Anonymous, “Carmen Possum” 17. A. E. Housman, “Fragment of a Greek Tragedy” PART III. CLASSICAL PARODY TODAY 18. Maurice Baring, Unreliable History 19. W. C. Sellar and R. J. Yeatman, And Now All This 20. Will Cuppy, The Decline and Fall of Practically Everybody 21. Richard Armour, The Classics Reclassified 22. John Bailey, “Holp!” 23. Regius Professor of Greek, “A Note on the Use of the Strong Aorist Optative Passive of p???? by Attic Poets of the Middle and New Comedies” 24. William Hansen, “The Structural Study of Myth, or Oedipus at the Sorbonne” 25. Anonymous, “A Warm, Fuzzy Story” 26. Light Verse Overview Bibliography Index
Reviews
A welcome survey of Greek and Roman, medieval, and English parody with texts from each period. Hansen provides well-informed introductions to the genre, the periods, the authors and the texts. This book can be read with pleasure from the beginning or consulted on particular authors or works. * Lowell Edmunds *
Author Information
William Hansen is Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies and Folklore at Indiana University, USA.
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