The word is derived from the Italian grotteschi, referring to the grottoes in which these decorations were found c. 1500 during the excavation of Roman houses such Define grotesque. Edgar Allan Poe, whose work influenced later Grotesque writers, most notably H.P. H. P. Lovecraft's early short story "Dagon" takes the grotesque back to its etymological root; the narrator sees cave paintings of the fish-monster before seeing the creature himself. Probably the most famous example is Quasimodo The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Victor Hugo's novel. This is certainly something to reread. I have to concentrate on the human's aspect. There are two main ways to define something as Grotesque, as evidenced by the diagrams: Kafka's "Metamorphosis" involves a man named Gregor Samsa who awakes to find that he has become a giant insect. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way. In literature as well as art, the grotesque is defined by what it does to boundaries- transgressing, merging, or destabilizing them (Connelly 4). More Synonyms of grotesque COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Send us feedback. Gothic churches are full of … The Grotesque is primarily concerned about the distortion and transgression of boundaries,be they physical boundaries between two objects, psychological boundaries, or anything in between. Learn a new word every day. In this sense, his art closes a divide between the Grotesque and the uncanny, which can be defined as “that which is fearfully and terribly familiar.”. I think another example, to go along w/your mention of the Theater of the Absurd, would be Eugene Ionesco's "Rhinoceros.". And which then nearly arrests him. The Grotesque is both an artistic and literary term, and is a bit difficult to describe, as it is less of a solid definition, and more of a range between a number of different qualities. fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention. Middle French & Old Italian; Middle French, from Old Italian (pittura) grottesca, literally, cave painting, feminine of grottesco of a cave, from grotta — see grotto, Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? The exaggeration of a single characteristic or flaw, assignment of truth to an individual. Exaggeration also plays a role. It's filled with information; both obvious and obscure. grotesque statues on the cathedral grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones. though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile. Especially important in this period was Friedrich Schlegel’s 1804 Conversation on Poetry which refers to the “terrifying aspect of humor, the horrifying aspect of comedy,” which has since been accepted as a definition of the Grotesque in literature. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. © 2021 Maven Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. In literature, a character or location that is irregular, extravagant or fantastic in form. grotesque synonyms, grotesque pronunciation, grotesque translation, English dictionary definition of grotesque. What is a grotesque? The term originally started visually in the 1500s. 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