Bathos and Rape of The Lock

Bathos is a dramatic change in style from the exalted to the commonplace. Bathos can often create a humorous effect and can be described as mock heroic or burlesque. Knowing this the definition of bathos, there is no better example of it than in Rape of the Lock. The whole poem is mock heroic following the actions of Belinda to retrieve her lock of hair from her male adversary. "Here thou great Anna! Whom three realms obey, Dost sometimes counsel take-- and sometimes tea." The transition between the greatness of Anna- commander of three realms- to women Anna drinking tea is very mock heroic and humorous. The transition from great power to tea parties is so vast that our only reaction is to laugh. This is only one example from a poem filled with transitions such as these. The whole concept of a trivial object like a lock of hair floating up and becoming an eternal star is also very humorous and is an example of bathos. The role of bathos in the text and mock heroics doesn't only make fun of women but it helps bring out the original purpose of the poem. Pope wrote this to end the feud in a family when someone cut a girls hair. By placing a situation very similar to theirs close to grand and awesome things allows them to see how petty their agreement is and allows them to get over it. It also provided them with a good laugh. Bathos happens to be a very popular form of comedy in today's world as well. Many examples of bathos can be seen in South Park. How underwhelmed the characters seem over awesome spectacles and how overwhelmed they are with petty things is an often used humorous device and is bathos. The devil in South Park manifesting himself in a huge spectacle for the sole purpose of talking to Stan about his problems is mock heroic and a great switch between epic to commonplace. This is a just one example of bathos on the show and, when used right can, be pretty funny.