What is the difference between epic and mock epic?

To answer this question, let us start by defining the characteristics of an epic. Generally
speaking, epics are long poems which detail the heroic exploits of one or more characters. The
epic highlights the character's bravery and courage and, often, the many struggles that this
character is forced to overcome. One of the most famous examples of an epic is The Iliad, a
story set during the Trojan Wars.

As you can probably guess from the title, a mock epic does exactly what it suggests: it works by
'mocking' the traditional epic. In other words, it contains all of the characteristics that you
would expect to find in an epic, but it is far less serious since it focuses on a silly or trivial
matter.

A famous example of a mock epic is "The Rape of the Lock." This poem has all the grandeur of
an epic but instead of focusing on a heroic quest, the action focuses on a baron who steals a
lock of hair from a lady, a far more trivial activity.