BATHOS Meaning and
Definition
-
Bathos is a literary term used to describe a sudden and often jarring shift in tone or emotion within a work, resulting in a descent from the serious or elevated to the trivial or mundane. It refers to the unsuccessful attempt to evoke deep emotions or to communicate grand ideas, ultimately resulting in a ludicrous or anticlimactic effect.
Deriving from the Greek word bathos meaning "depth," bathos typically manifests in a sudden transition from the sublime or profound to the commonplace or ridiculous. It is an unintended or poorly executed anticlimax that undermines the intended seriousness or emotional impact of a text.
Bathos can be observed in various forms of artistic expression such as literature, poetry, film, and even music. For example, a tragic narrative suddenly turning comical, profound statements being followed by absurd or trivial observations, or a grandiose declaration met with a trivial response can all be instances of bathos.
The purpose of employing bathos in a work can be to elicit a humorous or satirical effect, to highlight the contrast between lofty aspirations and mundane reality, or to mock attempts at emotional manipulation. However, when used ineffectively, bathos can unintentionally undermine the intended impact of a piece, leading to a loss of emotional engagement from the audience.
In summary, bathos refers to a shift in tone from the profound to the trivial, resulting in an anticlimactic or ludicrous effect. It serves to highlight the contrast between grand aspirations and mundane reality but can also diminish the impact of a work if used clumsily.
-
A ludicrous descent from the elevated to the mean in speaking or writing; the profound, ironically, in contradistinction to the sublime.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for BATHOS
Etymology of BATHOS
The word "bathos" originated from the Greek word "báthos", which means "depth" or "deep place". In ancient Greek mythology, báthos referred to the bottom of the sea or a deep point in the earth. Over time, the term was adopted by writers and poets to describe a sudden shift from a serious or elevated theme to one that is trivial, absurd, or anticlimactic. In English, the word "bathos" is primarily used in a literary sense to refer to an unintentional or excessive descent from the profound to the mundane within a piece of work. The etymology of "bathos" reflects this concept of a sudden drop from great depth to shallowness.
Similar spelling words for BATHOS
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
