| Part ofa series on |
| Rhetoric |
|---|
 |
Works
|
Related
|
Hypsos is aGreekphilosophical concept comparable to the modern concept of thesublime, or a moment that brings oralspeech to an astonishing and monumental pause. Itsroothypso- literally means "aloft", "height", or "on high". However, a distinguishing feature of hypsos inrhetorical studies is that it “combines conflictingemotions: fear andawe,horror and fascinations.[1]” It is aclimactic moment in speech that generates uncertainty for the audience.
The ancient Greek rhetoric teacherLonginus introduced the concept of hypsos in the only significant piece of literature that he is known for having written during his lifetime,On the Sublime[2]. In his work, Longinus prompted the possibilities and freedom thatspeech could possess by presenting hypsos. Longinus’ theories and concepts differed greatly from other Greek rhetoricians andphilosophers, and challenged the traditional rigid structure of rhetorical practices.[3]
Hypsos is studied by present-dayrhetoricians, and is often referred to through the publication ofTranslations of the Sublime: The Early Modern Reception and Dissemination of Longinus:Peri Hupsous in Rhetoric, theVisual Arts, Architecture, and the Theatre,[4] a collection of volumes of Longinus’essays. It stands as one of few pieces that explore the ways in which hypsos (which Longinus refers to as “the sublime in one single thought”) is used not only in rhetoric and literature, but also in the visual arts, architecture, and theater.
 | Thisaesthetics-related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
