Difference between revisions of "Pathos"
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
[[Greek]], [[suffering]], [[experience]], [[emotion]], from paschein (aor. pathein) to experience, suffer; perhaps akin to Lithuanian kęsti to suffer | [[Greek]], [[suffering]], [[experience]], [[emotion]], from paschein (aor. pathein) to experience, suffer; perhaps akin to Lithuanian kęsti to suffer | ||
| − | *Date: [ | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Century 1591] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1 : an element in [[experience]] or in artistic [[representation]] evoking pity or [[compassion]] | *1 : an element in [[experience]] or in artistic [[representation]] evoking pity or [[compassion]] | ||
*2 : an [[emotion]] of [[sympathetic]] pity | *2 : an [[emotion]] of [[sympathetic]] pity | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Pathos''' (pronounced /ˈpeɪθɒs/; [[Greek]]: πάθος, for 'suffering' or '[[experience]]') represents an appeal to the [[audience]]'s [[emotions]]. Pathos is a [[communication]] [[technique]] used most often in [[rhetoric]] (where it is considered one of the three modes of [[persuasion]], alongside [[ethos]] and [[logos]]), and in [[literature]], [[film]] and other [[narrative]] art. It is not to be confused with '[ | + | '''Pathos''' (pronounced /ˈpeɪθɒs/; [[Greek]]: πάθος, for 'suffering' or '[[experience]]') represents an appeal to the [[audience]]'s [[emotions]]. Pathos is a [[communication]] [[technique]] used most often in [[rhetoric]] (where it is considered one of the three modes of [[persuasion]], alongside [[ethos]] and [[logos]]), and in [[literature]], [[film]] and other [[narrative]] art. It is not to be confused with '[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathos bathos]' (βάθος), which is an attempt to [[perform]] in a serious, [[dramatic]] [[fashion]] that fails and ends up becoming comedy. Within [[literature]] and [[film]], pathetic occurrences in a plot are not to be confused with [[tragic]] occurrences. In a [[tragedy]], the character brings about his or her own demise, whereas those invoking pathos often occur to [[innocent]] [[characters]], invoking unmerited [[grief]]. |
[[Emotional]] appeal can be accomplished in a multitude of ways: | [[Emotional]] appeal can be accomplished in a multitude of ways: | ||
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Pathos is often associated with [[emotional]] appeal. But a better [[equivalent]] might be appeal to the [[audience]]'s [[sympathies]] and [[imagination]]. An appeal to pathos causes an [[audience]] not just to respond [[emotionally]] but to identify with the [[writer]]'s [[point of view]] - to feel what the writer feels. In this sense, pathos evokes a [[meaning]] implicit in the verb 'to suffer' - to feel [[pain]] [[imaginatively]]. Perhaps the most common way of conveying a pathetic appeal is through [[narrative]] or story, which can turn the [[abstractions]] of [[logic]] into something palpable and [[present]]. The [[values]], [[beliefs]], and [[understandings]] of the [[writer]] are implicit in the [[story]] and conveyed [[imaginatively]] to the [[reader]]. Pathos thus refers to both the [[emotional]] and the [[imaginative]] impact of the message on an [[audience]], the [[power]] with which the writer's [[message]] moves the [[audience]] to [[decision]] or [[action]]. | Pathos is often associated with [[emotional]] appeal. But a better [[equivalent]] might be appeal to the [[audience]]'s [[sympathies]] and [[imagination]]. An appeal to pathos causes an [[audience]] not just to respond [[emotionally]] but to identify with the [[writer]]'s [[point of view]] - to feel what the writer feels. In this sense, pathos evokes a [[meaning]] implicit in the verb 'to suffer' - to feel [[pain]] [[imaginatively]]. Perhaps the most common way of conveying a pathetic appeal is through [[narrative]] or story, which can turn the [[abstractions]] of [[logic]] into something palpable and [[present]]. The [[values]], [[beliefs]], and [[understandings]] of the [[writer]] are implicit in the [[story]] and conveyed [[imaginatively]] to the [[reader]]. Pathos thus refers to both the [[emotional]] and the [[imaginative]] impact of the message on an [[audience]], the [[power]] with which the writer's [[message]] moves the [[audience]] to [[decision]] or [[action]]. | ||
*Sublime pathos | *Sublime pathos | ||
| − | In the many works of [ | + | In the many works of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Schiller Friedrich Schiller], "Sublime Pathos" (German, das Pathetisch-Erhabene) appears as a privileged [[aesthetic]] [[concept]]. According to Schiller, sublime pathos in the [[context]] of art [[demonstrates]] human [[freedom]] and triumph in the struggle against [[suffering]]. As such, pathos no longer refers to [[suffering]] itself, but rather an effect produced by overcoming suffering. Generally, Schiller links the [[experience]] of suffering to "grand [[ideas]]" - such as the idea of [[freedom]]; in this sense, pathos reminds one of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milton Milton]'s [[Satan]], when he cries out: "Hail, [[horrors]], I greet thee!". Schiller's description of pathos continues to [[influence]] the use of the word today, in which such triumphant overcoming of suffering and other [[negative]] situations is seen as [[representing]] pathos. In modern [[cinema]] in particular, pathos can be found in many forms, such as in the film renditions of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings Lord of the Rings] directed by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Jackson Peter Jackson]. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[Bathos]]''''' | *'''''[[Bathos]]''''' | ||
[[Category: Languages and Literature]] | [[Category: Languages and Literature]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:36, 13 December 2020
Etymology
Greek, suffering, experience, emotion, from paschein (aor. pathein) to experience, suffer; perhaps akin to Lithuanian kęsti to suffer
- Date: 1591
Definitions
- 1 : an element in experience or in artistic representation evoking pity or compassion
- 2 : an emotion of sympathetic pity
Description
Pathos (pronounced /ˈpeɪθɒs/; Greek: πάθος, for 'suffering' or 'experience') represents an appeal to the audience's emotions. Pathos is a communication technique used most often in rhetoric (where it is considered one of the three modes of persuasion, alongside ethos and logos), and in literature, film and other narrative art. It is not to be confused with 'bathos' (βάθος), which is an attempt to perform in a serious, dramatic fashion that fails and ends up becoming comedy. Within literature and film, pathetic occurrences in a plot are not to be confused with tragic occurrences. In a tragedy, the character brings about his or her own demise, whereas those invoking pathos often occur to innocent characters, invoking unmerited grief.
Emotional appeal can be accomplished in a multitude of ways:
- by a metaphor or story telling, common as a hook,
- by a general passion in the delivery and an overall number of emotional items in the text of the speech, or in writing.
Pathos is often associated with emotional appeal. But a better equivalent might be appeal to the audience's sympathies and imagination. An appeal to pathos causes an audience not just to respond emotionally but to identify with the writer's point of view - to feel what the writer feels. In this sense, pathos evokes a meaning implicit in the verb 'to suffer' - to feel pain imaginatively. Perhaps the most common way of conveying a pathetic appeal is through narrative or story, which can turn the abstractions of logic into something palpable and present. The values, beliefs, and understandings of the writer are implicit in the story and conveyed imaginatively to the reader. Pathos thus refers to both the emotional and the imaginative impact of the message on an audience, the power with which the writer's message moves the audience to decision or action.
- Sublime pathos
In the many works of Friedrich Schiller, "Sublime Pathos" (German, das Pathetisch-Erhabene) appears as a privileged aesthetic concept. According to Schiller, sublime pathos in the context of art demonstrates human freedom and triumph in the struggle against suffering. As such, pathos no longer refers to suffering itself, but rather an effect produced by overcoming suffering. Generally, Schiller links the experience of suffering to "grand ideas" - such as the idea of freedom; in this sense, pathos reminds one of Milton's Satan, when he cries out: "Hail, horrors, I greet thee!". Schiller's description of pathos continues to influence the use of the word today, in which such triumphant overcoming of suffering and other negative situations is seen as representing pathos. In modern cinema in particular, pathos can be found in many forms, such as in the film renditions of the Lord of the Rings directed by Peter Jackson.
