Hypsos

Hypsosis aGreekphilosophicalconcept comparable to the modern concept of thesublime,or a moment that brings oralspeechto an astonishing and monumental pause. Itsroothypso-literally means "aloft", "height", or "on high". However, a distinguishing feature of hypsos inrhetoricalstudies is that it “combines conflictingemotions:fear andawe,horrorand fascinations.”It is aclimacticmoment in speech that generates uncertainty for the audience.

Origin

The ancient Greek rhetoric teacherLonginusintroduced the concept of hypsos in the only significant piece of literature that he is known for having written during his lifetime,On the Sublime.In his work, Longinus prompted the possibilities and freedom thatspeechcould possess by presenting hypsos. Longinus’ theories and concepts differed greatly from other Greek rhetoricians andphilosophers,and challenged the traditional rigid structure of rhetorical practices.

Long-term effects

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 Hupsousin Rhetoric, theVisual Arts,Architecture, and the Theatre,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.