On the Sublime by Longinus
LONGINUS: ON THE SUBLIME
FIVE PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF SUBLIMITY IN LITERATURE
By the word ‘sublime’ Longinus, means elevation or loftiness – all that raises style above the ordinary, and gives it distinction in its widest and truest sense. So sublimity is a certain distinction and excellence in composition. Longinus says that, both nature and art contribute to sublimity in literature. Art is perfect when it seems to be nature, and nature hits the mark when she contains art hidden within her. The five principal sources of the sublime are as under:
Grandeur of Thought
Nobody can produce a sublime work unless his thoughts are sublime. Sublimity is the echo of greatness of soul. It is impossible for those whose whole lives are full of mean ideas and habits, to produce anything that is admirable and worthy of an immortal life. It is natural that great accents should fall from the lips of those whose thoughts have always been deep and full of majesty. Therefore, he who would attain distinction of style must feel his soul on the works of the great masters, as Homer, Plato and Demosthenes, and capture from them some of their own greatness. This reflects the classicism of Longinus.
Capacity for Strong Emotion
The second source of the sublime is forceful and inspired passion. Longinus asserts that nothing contributes to loftiness of tone in writing than genuine emotion. At one place, for instance, he says, “I would confidently affirm that nothing makes so much for grandeur, as true emotion in the right place, for it inspires the words as it were, with a wild gust of mad enthusiasm and fills them with divine frenzy”. But the emotions have to be true emotions and in the right place.
Appropriate Use of Figures
The third source of attaining excellence of style is the use of figures of speech which he considers very important, and so devotes nearly one third of his work to it. He shows discrimination and originality of thinking in his treatment of the subject. Figures
FIVE PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF SUBLIMITY IN LITERATURE
By the word ‘sublime’ Longinus, means elevation or loftiness – all that raises style above the ordinary, and gives it distinction in its widest and truest sense. So sublimity is a certain distinction and excellence in composition. Longinus says that, both nature and art contribute to sublimity in literature. Art is perfect when it seems to be nature, and nature hits the mark when she contains art hidden within her. The five principal sources of the sublime are as under:
Grandeur of Thought
Nobody can produce a sublime work unless his thoughts are sublime. Sublimity is the echo of greatness of soul. It is impossible for those whose whole lives are full of mean ideas and habits, to produce anything that is admirable and worthy of an immortal life. It is natural that great accents should fall from the lips of those whose thoughts have always been deep and full of majesty. Therefore, he who would attain distinction of style must feel his soul on the works of the great masters, as Homer, Plato and Demosthenes, and capture from them some of their own greatness. This reflects the classicism of Longinus.
Capacity for Strong Emotion
The second source of the sublime is forceful and inspired passion. Longinus asserts that nothing contributes to loftiness of tone in writing than genuine emotion. At one place, for instance, he says, “I would confidently affirm that nothing makes so much for grandeur, as true emotion in the right place, for it inspires the words as it were, with a wild gust of mad enthusiasm and fills them with divine frenzy”. But the emotions have to be true emotions and in the right place.
Appropriate Use of Figures
The third source of attaining excellence of style is the use of figures of speech which he considers very important, and so devotes nearly one third of his work to it. He shows discrimination and originality of thinking in his treatment of the subject. Figures