Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

What literary term describes the act of burlesquing or mocking heroic manner, action, or character?

1. Parody

2. Mock heroic

3. Satire

4. Tragedy

The correct answer is: Mock heroic

The term that specifically describes the act of burlesquing or mocking heroic manner, action, or character is "mock heroic." This literary device takes the conventions of epic or heroic literature and applies them in a way that is deliberately exaggerated or trivialized, thereby highlighting the absurdity or the dissonance between the elevated style and the subject matter. This technique is often used to create humor by juxtaposing grand themes with ordinary characters or situations. The essence of mock heroic is in its ability to critique the original heroic narrative by placing it in a context that emphasizes its ludicrous aspects, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of heroism itself. This contrasts with parody, which can encompass a broader range of imitative techniques not limited to the heroic. While satire does involve criticism of human folly and societal issues, it is not exclusively focused on the heroic or epic conventions. Instead, it encompasses a wider scope of themes and subject matter. Tragedy, on the other hand, deals with serious themes typically involving suffering and loss, which is distinct from the humorous and mocking tone found in mock heroic.