In medias res
In medias res , also medias in res , is a Latin phrase and means "in the middle of things".
The phrase comes from Horace ' ars poetica , in verse 148 of which the Roman poet praises the narrative style of the Greek poet Homer in the Iliad : right at the beginning he introduces the listener straight to the "middle of things", ie into the action. Even today it is said in literary studies “the narrator goes into medias res”. In a figurative sense, the phrase stands for tackling a problem or a thing quickly.
The opposite of in medias res is an entry from ovo ("from the egg on"), where introductory descriptions mark the beginning. In the classical narrative, in medias res means "in progressive action".
The term is also used in the legal context, for example when it comes to the precise presentation of a situation and the reaching of a judgment .
Trivia
The media program @mediasres , the title of which is based on in medias res , has existed on Deutschlandfunk since March 20, 2017 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Volker Nünning: Deutschlandfunk from March 20, 2017 with the daily media magazine “@mediasres”. In: media correspondence . March 12, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2018 .
