The Classical Sublime Reading: Longinus, On the Sublime, in Classical Literary Criticism, pp.143-187

1. What is the Sublime?

• Definition: The sublime is a form of elevated language that inspires awe, wonder, and emotional intensity in the audience.

• Unlike mere persuasion or beauty, the sublime transports the listener or reader, evoking something beyond ordinary experience.

2. Key Characteristics of the Sublime

• Longinus outlines five sources that contribute to sublimity in literature and speech:

• 1. Greatness of Thought

  • Sublime writing reflects profound and noble ideas.

  • Example: Homer’s depiction of gods and heroes in The Iliad.

• 2. Strong Emotion (Pathos)

  • Genuine passion enhances sublimity; artificial or forced emotion weakens it.

  • Example: Tragic moments in Sophocles or Shakespeare that evoke deep pathos.

• 3. Appropriate Use of Figures of Speech

  • Metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and rhetorical questions contribute to elevated style.

  • Example: Biblical and epic imagery that magnifies human experience.

• 4. Noble Diction and Elevated Language

  • Word choice and rhythm impact how powerfully a passage resonates.

  • Example: The rhythmic beauty of Milton’s Paradise Lost.

• 5. Majestic Composition and Structure

  • A well-structured work builds toward a climax that leaves a lasting impact.

  • Example: The grandeur of a perfectly arranged speech or poem.

3. The Sublime vs. the Beautiful

• The sublime is overwhelming, awe-inspiring, and sometimes even terrifying (e.g., vast landscapes, storms, divine power).

• The beautiful is harmonious, pleasing, and delicate (e.g., flowers, symmetry, graceful art).

• The sublime often transcends beauty by evoking a sense of infinity or the divine.

4. The Role of the Audience

• Sublime works elevate the audience’s mind, making them feel connected to something greater than themselves.

• Great art does not merely entertain—it transforms and inspires.

5. The Sublime in Art and Aesthetics

• Longinus’ ideas influenced later aesthetic theories, especially in the Romantic period (e.g., Burke and Kant’s theories on the sublime).

• The sublime in visual art:

  • Turner’s stormy seascapes

  • Michelangelo’s vast, dramatic frescoes

• The sublime in music:

  • Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony evokes grandeur and transcendence.