* Lampoon: A lampoon is a short, often vicious and personally abusive satirical attack. It's typically focused on a single individual, aiming to ridicule them through witty insults and exaggerated flaws. It prioritizes direct, often crude, mockery. Think of it as a punch in the face with words.
* Mac Flecknoe: *Mac Flecknoe*, while certainly satirical and using ridicule, operates on a larger scale. It's a mock-heroic poem, a sophisticated literary form that satirizes not just one individual (Shadwell) but also the entire state of contemporary English literature and the perceived decline in poetic standards. It's not just personal abuse; it's a broader commentary presented with elaborate poetic devices and a carefully constructed narrative. It's more of a surgical strike on a whole system, using Shadwell as a prime example.
In short: a lampoon is a quick, dirty insult; *Mac Flecknoe* is a finely crafted, extended satire using a specific target to critique a wider issue. While *Mac Flecknoe* contains elements of lampooning Shadwell, its ambition and execution far surpass the simple, direct attack of a typical lampoon. It's a lampoon elevated to high art.