Definition & Meaning of "bathos"

What is "bathos"?

Bathos refers to an attempt to create a serious or grand effect that ends up being overly sentimental, trivial, or humorous, often because it falls short of its intended impact. It occurs when something is presented with great seriousness or emotion, but the result is unexpectedly comical or unremarkable. For example, if a poem starts with grand, dramatic imagery but ends with an ordinary, mundane detail, the sudden shift can be amusing and diminish the poem’s intended depth or significance.