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"A Libell, for an Epitaph": The Parodic Epitaph in the Early Stuart Period.

The article focuses on the parodic epitaph in the early stuart age. It states that the parodic epitaph differs from the parent genre wherein it offers a counter to the official version that praised the deceased. It cites the immortality of the parodic was based upon multiplication of copies, encoura...

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Published in:Appositions: Studies in Renaissance / Early Modern Literature & Culture Vol. 1; pp. 26 - 34
Main Author: Doelman, James
Format: Article
Published: W. Scott Howard 2008
Subjects:
Epitaphs in literature
Parody in literature
Literary form
Dead
Laudatory poetry
Death
Legacies
Rhetoric
Criticism
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Summary:The article focuses on the parodic epitaph in the early stuart age. It states that the parodic epitaph differs from the parent genre wherein it offers a counter to the official version that praised the deceased. It cites the immortality of the parodic was based upon multiplication of copies, encouraged by brevity and memorability compared to literal epitaphs. It notes that the content of the parodic epitaphs is changed from eulogistic praise to sharp rebuke and blame eventhough it uses the same rhetorical techniques that were widespread in the parent form. Furthermore, a parodic epitaph written about a living figure may be a reminder of the legacy that the subject might face on her actual death.