Sunday, August 21, 2011
Rhetoric - bathos
bathos [ˈbeɪθɒs] n.
1.) A humorous descent from the sublime to the commonplace (Garner's Modern American Usage 3rd Ed.)
Etymology: adoption of Greek βάθος, depth. Introduced into English by Alexander Pope in his treatise Peri Bathous, or the Art of Sinking in Poetry (1727), the title being a parody of περὶ ὕψους (Peri Huphous, "On the Sublime"), written by an unknown author in the 1st century.
"—Arthur: The Castle Aaaagh. Our quest is at an end! God be praised! Almighty God, we thank Thee that Thou hast vouchsafed to us the most holy...[a sheep is catapulted onto Arthur] Jesus Christ!
—French Guard: Allo, dappy English k-niggets and Monsieur Arthur King, who has the brain of a duck, you know. So, we French fellows outwit you a second time!" (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin, 1975).
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A little video to spice things up today (it's the scene from Holy Grail). Also, a quick reminder that today is the last day to submit your weekly challenge entries. See here for details. Thanks for reading!
15 comments:
Perfect example!
Oh damn, it's today, duh Sunday. I'll see if I push myself on it after writing today's post.
The clip is hilarious! Cool word, too.
Monty Python's Holy Grail is the perfect example for 'bathos' (^_^)-b
re your comment: It's shoujo manga. Not exactly aimed at guys. More like... at teenage girls :p Which makes me too old to be in their age group, but whatever. Easy entertainment.
Oh and btw, I love you for using Monty Python on your blog ^^ Makes me laugh every time.
Oh, the Holy Grail really is fun. Thanks for that one. & the word, too.
I am going to remember this one a lot easier since you used good old Monty Python. Brilliant. But now I can't get coconuts tapping out of my head.
That reminds me, need to take a bath.
ahhh brilliant film.
Clip cuts out a bit quick but sure from the pompous sound-track to the ridiculous appearance of Cleese it's bathos indeed.
Such a classic. One of my favorite movies.
HAVE to get in on this weekly challenge. Have to!
Also, a video! You are gettin jiggy w/it.
ryc: alright gosh, stop guilting me! :)
re your comment: The cartoon posts give me the opportunity to be somewhat cynical. Don't know why, it's probably because it's easier to say things through a cute drawing than it is through pictures of my own silly face.
re: *poke* charmer
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