Excerpt from Martial's Wit and Humor
The original character of the composition explains why it was natural that the ludicrous type Should ultimately predominate. Lessing shows that the epigram has never lost the features which it derived from its early use as an inscription? A statue, pillar, or tablet awakened the curiosity of the wayfarer and the verses which he paused to read answered his mental inquiry. When the verses were used apart from the material object, a situation had to be described for the purpose of arresting attention and arousing interest. Thus, according to Lessing, an epigram consists of two indispensable elements, - a clear setting forth of circumstance or incident in such a way as to awaken expectation and a conclu sion which in some unforeseen way gratifies the expectation.
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