Bathos is a literary device that is used to describe an abrupt shift in tone from the sublime to the ridiculous. It is often used to create a humorous effect by bringing the reader or listener back down to earth after a moment of heightened emotion or seriousness. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, and meaning of bathos, as well as its associations, synonyms, and antonyms.
Definitions
Bathos is defined as a sudden and unexpected shift in tone from the sublime or serious to the mundane or ridiculous. It is often used in literature, film, and other forms of art to create a humorous effect or to undercut the emotional impact of a scene. Bathos can also refer to an anticlimax, or a letdown after a buildup of tension or expectation.
Origin
The word “bathos” comes from the Greek word “bathys,” which means “deep.” It was first used in English in the 17th century to describe a sudden drop in emotion or tone. The term was popularized in the 18th century by Alexander Pope, who used it to describe a particular style of writing that he found to be overly sentimental and melodramatic.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, bathos is “a sudden, often ludicrous, descent from the exalted or elevated to the commonplace; an anticlimax.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “the sudden appearance of the commonplace in otherwise elevated matter or style.” The Cambridge Dictionary describes it as “a sudden change in writing or speech from a serious or important subject to a silly or ordinary one, especially for humorous effect.”
Associations
Bathos is often associated with satire, parody, and comedy. It is used to puncture the pretensions of serious or melodramatic writing, and to bring the reader or audience back down to earth after a moment of heightened emotion. Bathos can also be used to create a sense of irony, as when a serious or tragic event is followed by a humorous or trivial one.
Synonyms
Synonyms for bathos include anticlimax, letdown, comedown, disappointment, and disillusionment. It can also be described as a descent, a drop, or a fall from grace.
Antonyms
Antonyms for bathos include climax, crescendo, apotheosis, and elevation. These words describe a buildup of tension or emotion, rather than a sudden drop.
The same root words
The word “bathos” shares its root with several other English words, including “bathometer” (a device for measuring ocean depth), “bathyal” (referring to the deep ocean), and “batholith” (a large igneous rock formation).
Example Sentences
- The movie started out as a serious drama, but then it descended into bathos with a series of slapstick gags.
- The writer’s attempt at a poignant ending was ruined by a sudden burst of bathos.
- The politician’s speech was full of bathos, with over-the-top rhetoric followed by a series of cliches.
- The novel’s climax was a perfect example of bathos, as the hero’s heroic sacrifice was followed by a scene of him tripping and falling.
- The comedian used bathos to great effect, interrupting a serious story with a sudden punchline that left the audience in stitches.