Decorum Literary Definition

How to use decorum in a sentence.

Decorum literary definition. Decorum is defined as appropriate polite behavior in society. Decorum from the latin. The formalities and decorums of a military funeral.

Decorum definition is literary and dramatic propriety. Latin decōrum from decōrus becoming handsome. The concept of literary propriety in its simplest stage of development was outlined by aristotle.

According to cicero s discussion of decorum in de oratore see below the grand and important theme should be treated in a dignified and noble style the humble or trivial theme in a less exalted manner. In later classical criticism the roman poet horace maintained that to retain its unity a work of art must be consistent in every aspect. The concept of decorum is also applied to prescribed limits of appropriate social behavior within set situations.

Decorum in literary style the appropriate rendering of a character action speech or scene. According to leonardo s theory of decorum the gestures which a figure makes must not only demonstrate feelings but must be appropriate to age rank and position. An example of decorum is to show good table manners.

In classical rhetoric decorum is the use of a style that is appropriate to a subject situation speaker and audience. The subject or theme must be dealt with in the proper diction metre form and tone. Right proper was a principle of classical rhetoric poetry and theatrical theory concerning the fitness or otherwise of a style to a theatrical subject.