Is there a name for the genre of poetry and song that treats what are ordinarily regarded as undesirable traits as if they were wonderful?

Question

I’m thinking of Rodgers and Hart’s “I Wish I Were in Love Again,” Sondheim’s “Being Alive,” the song from Peter Pan “Who’s the swineiest swine in the world? Captain Hook!  Captain Hook!” and Shakespeare’s sonnet 130 “My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun.”

Weather Vane · Answer

This kind of absurd poetry can be called

nonsense poetry  
  
  (Originally) whimsical or nonsensical verse;
  (later) the genre of poetry that includes nonsense verse such as limericks, as well as looser poetic forms.

or

nonsense verse  
  
  Originally: nonsensical verse.
  Later: whimsical or nonsensical verse intended to amuse by absurdity; an example of this, specifically a limerick; (in plural also) verses consisting of words arranged solely with reference to the metre and rhyme scheme, without regard to the sense.

Both definitions are from Lexico.

Is there a name for the genre of poetry and song that treats what are ordinarily regarded as undesirable traits as if they were wonderful?

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question