Literary topos
Encyclopedia
Topos in Latin locus (from locus communis), referred in the context of classical Greek
rhetoric
to a standardised method of constructing or treating an argument
. See topos in classical rhetoric. The technical term topos is variously translated as "topic", "line of argument" or "commonplace." There are three kind of topoi, first the "common" topoi, second, the twenty-eight "general" topoi and "special" topoi. Of these, the "common" and "general" topoi are usually considered most important for the study of rhetoric.
Ernst Robert Curtius expanded this concept in studying topoi as commonplaces: reworkings of traditional material, particularly the descriptions of standardised settings, but extended to almost any literary
meme
. For example, Curtius notes the common observation in the ancient classical world that “all must die” as a topos in consolatory oratory; that is, one facing one’s own death often stops to reflect that greater men from the past died as well. A slightly different kind of topos noted by Curtius is the invocation of nature (sky, seas, animals, etc.) for various rhetorical purposes, such as witnessing to an oath, rejoicing or praising God, or sharing in the mourning of the speaker. Critics have traced the use and re-use of such topoi from the literature of classical antiquity
to the 18th century and beyond into postmodern literature
. This is illustrated in the study of archetypal heroes and in the theory of "The Hero With A Thousand Faces
," also the name of a book written by modern theorist Joseph Campbell
.
For example, oral histories passed down from pre-historic societies contain literary aspects, characters, or settings which appear again and again in stories from ancient civilizations, religious texts, and even more modern stories. The biblical
creation myths and "the flood
" are two examples, as they are repeated in other civilizations' earliest texts (see Epic of Gilgamesh
or Deluge (mythology)) and are seen again and again in historical texts and references.
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
rhetoric
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the Western...
to a standardised method of constructing or treating an argument
Argument
In philosophy and logic, an argument is an attempt to persuade someone of something, or give evidence or reasons for accepting a particular conclusion.Argument may also refer to:-Mathematics and computer science:...
. See topos in classical rhetoric. The technical term topos is variously translated as "topic", "line of argument" or "commonplace." There are three kind of topoi, first the "common" topoi, second, the twenty-eight "general" topoi and "special" topoi. Of these, the "common" and "general" topoi are usually considered most important for the study of rhetoric.
Ernst Robert Curtius expanded this concept in studying topoi as commonplaces: reworkings of traditional material, particularly the descriptions of standardised settings, but extended to almost any literary
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
meme
Meme
A meme is "an idea, behaviour or style that spreads from person to person within a culture."A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena...
. For example, Curtius notes the common observation in the ancient classical world that “all must die” as a topos in consolatory oratory; that is, one facing one’s own death often stops to reflect that greater men from the past died as well. A slightly different kind of topos noted by Curtius is the invocation of nature (sky, seas, animals, etc.) for various rhetorical purposes, such as witnessing to an oath, rejoicing or praising God, or sharing in the mourning of the speaker. Critics have traced the use and re-use of such topoi from the literature of classical antiquity
Classical antiquity
Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world...
to the 18th century and beyond into postmodern literature
Postmodern literature
The term Postmodern literature is used to describe certain characteristics of post–World War II literature and a reaction against Enlightenment ideas implicit in Modernist literature.Postmodern literature, like postmodernism as a whole, is hard to define and there is little agreement on the exact...
. This is illustrated in the study of archetypal heroes and in the theory of "The Hero With A Thousand Faces
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
The Hero with a Thousand Faces is a non-fiction book, and seminal work of comparative mythology by Joseph Campbell...
," also the name of a book written by modern theorist Joseph Campbell
Joseph Campbell
Joseph John Campbell was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience...
.
For example, oral histories passed down from pre-historic societies contain literary aspects, characters, or settings which appear again and again in stories from ancient civilizations, religious texts, and even more modern stories. The biblical
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
creation myths and "the flood
Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark is a vessel appearing in the Book of Genesis and the Quran . These narratives describe the construction of the ark by Noah at God's command to save himself, his family, and the world's animals from the worldwide deluge of the Great Flood.In the narrative of the ark, God sees the...
" are two examples, as they are repeated in other civilizations' earliest texts (see Epic of Gilgamesh
Epic of Gilgamesh
Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Mesopotamia and is among the earliest known works of literature. Scholars believe that it originated as a series of Sumerian legends and poems about the protagonist of the story, Gilgamesh king of Uruk, which were fashioned into a longer Akkadian epic much...
or Deluge (mythology)) and are seen again and again in historical texts and references.