PARODY derives from the ancient Greek theater word parodia which literally translates to "a song sung beside." The poetic style Parody is an exaggerated imitation -- usually humorous -- of a work or style of art. Not confined to only artistic works, Parody is a type of satire which makes fun of any and all human characteristics.

Greek philosopher Aristotle atributes the origin of the formal parody to Hegemon of Thasos, who used epic style to "superior" people as inferior to what they are in real life.

There is neither a set definitive for the amount of stanzas and lines within a Parody, nor any particular rhyme scheme.


Example 1 by Lori L. Moore

excerpt from Not Haiku At All - A Parody

One, two, three, four, five.
Esoteric allusions.
Obscure secrecies.

Cryptic mysteries.
A careful syllable count.
Onji, Kigo. What?

Count, count, count, count, count.
Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall,
Not Haiku at all.
----
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Example 2 by Juliana Taliaferro

excerpt from My Thighs (parody of Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise")

They may go down in history
for their gigantic size.
I may exercise until I hurt,
but still, like lard, my thighs!

Does their chubbiness delight you?
Must you laugh like you were smashed?
'Cause I walk like I've got saddlebags
That are surgically attached....

...Leaving behind dreams of corduroy,
My thighs
Soft talcum powder - their only joy,
My thighs
These are the genes my ancestors gave:
stout trunks that take many hours to shave.
My thighs
My thighs
My thighs!