Grotesque is an adjective often used to describe weird shapes and distorted forms such as Halloween masks. In art, performance, and literature, however, grotesque may also refer to something that simultaneously invokes an audience feeling of uncomfortable bizarreness as well as sympathetic pity.
Facts
Place of OriginItaly (etymological origin of the term) 1 Notable ExampleThe Hunchback of Notre-Dame, by Victor Hugo 1 Defining TraitEvokes both uncomfortable bizarreness and sympathetic pity 1 In the Other Atlases
- Also in Geography Atlas: Italy, originated there.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Grotesque
Introduction, etymology
the Italian grottesca (literally "of a cave" from the Italian grotta, 'cave')
In literature section
Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is one of the most celebrated grotesques in literature
Introduction, second sentence
grotesque may also refer to something that simultaneously invokes an audience feeling of uncomfortable bizarreness as well as sympathetic pity
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