Word: batrachomyomachia
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Chapman's early translation of Homer is entitled "The Crowne of all Homeres Worckes, Batrachomyomachia or the Battaile of Frogs and Mice". This is also a presentation copy inscribed to "ye Righte Virtuouse and worthie Gent: Mr. Henry Reynolds...
Classic literature is full of parody. The Batrachomyomachia--"Battle of the Frogs and Mice"-- a travesty of the heroic epic, was long attributed to Homer, and certainly is as old as the fifth century before Christ. Aristophanes mimicked Euripides with side splitting and enraging effectiveness. Cervantes' Don Quixote is sheer parody. In our own language we have a great volume of comic imitation. Shakespeare parodied and was parodied. Milton's ponderous solemnity was the subject of endless ribald travesty in his own momentous metre. Shelley did not shame to lampoon dear old Wordsworth...
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