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:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Perfect example!

D4 said...

Oh damn, it's today, duh Sunday. I'll see if I push myself on it after writing today's post.

Anonymous said...

The clip is hilarious! Cool word, too.

Unknown said...

Monty Python's Holy Grail is the perfect example for 'bathos' (^_^)-b

Bibi said...

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.

ivy said...

Oh, the Holy Grail really is fun. Thanks for that one. & the word, too.

Unknown said...

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.

Unknown said...

That reminds me, need to take a bath.

Life, Liberty and Accountability said...

ahhh brilliant film.

Kevin Faulkner said...

Clip cuts out a bit quick but sure from the pompous sound-track to the ridiculous appearance of Cleese it's bathos indeed.

GMSoccerPicks said...

Such a classic. One of my favorite movies.

nowaysj said...

HAVE to get in on this weekly challenge. Have to!

Also, a video! You are gettin jiggy w/it.

Anonymous said...

ryc: alright gosh, stop guilting me! :)

Bibi said...

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.

Bibi said...

re: *poke* charmer

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