what is a parallel episode? what is an example of one?

Answer 1

In addition to the episodes mentioned in these search results -- http://www.google.com/search?q=%22parallel+episode%22+literature&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA -- I think there are also many parallel episodes throughout Shakespeare' plays. For example, at the beginning of King Lear, there is the setting-up of the conflicts between (and among) Lear and his daughters, as well as the conflicts between (and among) Gloucester and his sons.

http://www.online-literature.com/shakespeare/kinglear/
All you have to do is read Act I Scene i, and it'll be clear. These parallel plots run throughout the play.