Love's Labor's Lost

by William Shakespeare

Love's Labor's Lost: Parody 1 key example

Read our modern English translation.

Definition of Parody

A parody is a work that mimics the style of another work, artist, or genre in an exaggerated way, usually for comic effect. Parodies can take many forms, including fiction... read full definition
A parody is a work that mimics the style of another work, artist, or genre in an exaggerated way, usually for comic effect. Parodies can... read full definition
A parody is a work that mimics the style of another work, artist, or genre in an exaggerated way, usually... read full definition
Act 4, Scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—Ferdinand's Letter:

When he thinks he’s alone, Ferdinand reads out his love letter to the princess. The contents of the letter are a parody of florid love language:

KING reads
[...] Thou shin 'st in every tear I do weep.                                                                                                  
No drop but as a coach doth carry thee;                                                                                           
So ridest thou triumphing in my woe.                                                                                                 
Do but behold the tears that swell in me,                                                                                       
And they thy glory through my grief will show.                                                                             
But do not love thyself; then thou <wilt> keep                                                                                   
My tears for glasses, and still make me weep.                                                                                     
O queen of queens, how far dost thou excel                                                                                   
No thought can think, nor tongue of mortal tell.