Hudibrastic is a type of English verse. It is named after Samuel Butler's poem "Hudibras," which was published in parts between 1663 and 1678. For this poem, Butler created a mock-heroic verse structure.

Description

The lines were written in iambic tetrameter instead of pentameter. The rhyme pattern follows the same structure as heroic verse (AA BB CC DD), but Butler often used feminine rhyme to create a humorous effect.

Further description

The rhymes in Hudibrastic poetry, such as "swear for" with "wherefore" and "ecclesiastic" with "(in)stead of a stick," are unusual, strange, and funny. Another example is the rhyme between "-don dwelling" and "a colonelling," which is hard to hear or understand, making it humorous. The rhyme pattern in Hudibrastic poetry often creates strange comparisons. For instance, the rhyme of "drunk" and "punk" (which means "a prostitute") suggests that the intense religious feelings of the Puritans were similar to those of sexual activity and being drunk.

Hudibrastic poetry has been used for satire. For example, Jonathan Swift wrote most of his poetry using this style.

Other usage

In the 18th century, the word "hudibrastic" was sometimes used in a very formal or exaggerated way to describe any kind of satire. This term was used for publications like The Caricature Magazine and Hudibrastic Mirror, which were published by Thomas Tegg between 1807 and 1819.