Pathos
The quality of evoking emotional response, particularly sympathy, pity, or sadness. Pathos is created through emotionally charged language, imagery, or situations designed to move the reader/audience emotionally.
Real World
Shakespeare generates intense pathos in 'King Lear' when the broken, elderly Lear carries Cordelia's body onstage, repeating 'Never, never, never, never, never' — five monosyllables that moved 17th-century audiences to tears and still do today.
Exam Focus
Show how pathos is constructed through specific techniques (repetition, imagery, situation) rather than just stating 'this is sad.'
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