A Critical Essay on Longinus’s On the
Sublime
Introduction
Longinus’s
On the Sublime is a landmark treatise in literary criticism,
offering one of the earliest systematic explorations of the concept of sublimity
in art and literature. While its precise authorship and historical context
remain debated, the text itself transcends these uncertainties through its
profound insights into the nature and power of great writing. Compiled in the
anthology edited by Hazard Adams, On the Sublime stands
as a vital counterpoint to more prescriptive critical traditions like those of
Aristotle or Horace, emphasizing the emotive and transcendent aspects of
literature. This essay critically examines Longinus’s ideas on the sublime, his
criteria for greatness in art, and the treatise’s enduring impact on literary
theory.
The Nature of the Sublime
At the
heart of Longinus’s treatise is the concept of the sublime, which he defines as
the capacity of art and literature to evoke a sense of awe, wonder, and
transcendence. Unlike other ancient critics who focus on structural
unity or moral instruction, Longinus celebrates the ineffable
qualities of great writing that elevate the human spirit and transport the
audience beyond ordinary experience.
Longinus
identifies sublimity as a product of innate genius and rhetorical skill,
asserting that true sublimity “tears everything up like a whirlwind.” This
metaphor underscores the overwhelming and transformative power of the sublime,
which goes beyond mere technical perfection to engage the reader on a profound
emotional and spiritual level.
Critically,
Longinus’s conception of the sublime remains relevant in modern aesthetics,
particularly in its acknowledgment of the emotional and subjective dimensions
of artistic experience. His focus on the reader’s response foreshadows later
reader-response theories, emphasizing the dynamic interaction between text
and audience.
Sources of Sublimity: Genius,
Passion, and Craft
Longinus
outlines five key sources of sublimity: grandeur of thought, strong
emotion, appropriate use of figures of speech, noble diction, and elevated
composition. These criteria balance innate qualities like genius and
passion with learned skills like rhetorical technique and stylistic refinement.
The
interplay between natural talent and disciplined artistry is
central to Longinus’s philosophy. He acknowledges that while genius is a
necessary component of the sublime, it must be tempered by intellectual rigor
and cultural refinement. This dual emphasis challenges later Romantic notions
of the artist as a purely inspired genius, suggesting instead that great
art arises from a synthesis of natural ability and cultivated skill.
However,
some critics argue that Longinus’s criteria, particularly his emphasis on
grandeur and elevated diction, risk excluding more understated or minimalist
forms of artistic expression. His framework prioritizes intensity and
magnitude, potentially limiting its applicability to diverse literary
traditions.
Sublimity and Morality
A
distinctive feature of Longinus’s treatise is its linkage of the sublime with moral and ethical
greatness. He argues that the highest forms of
sublimity stem from a noble soul, reflecting the character of the artist. This
connection between artistic
excellence and moral virtue sets
Longinus apart from purely formalist critics, situating his theory within a
broader philosophical and ethical context.
This
moral dimension of the sublime has faced scrutiny in modern criticism,
particularly in light of postmodernist challenges to the idea of universal values or stable
subjectivities. Nevertheless, Longinus’s insistence on
the ethical underpinnings of artistic greatness resonates with those who view literature as a vehicle for profound
truths and humanistic ideals.
Impact and Legacy
The
influence of On the Sublime extends far beyond its immediate
cultural context. Rediscovered during the Renaissance, the treatise shaped
early modern aesthetics and inspired figures such as Boileau, Edmund Burke,
and Immanuel Kant. Burke’s A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the
Sublime and Beautiful
and Kant’s Critique of
Judgment both expand on Longinus’s ideas, exploring the sublime as a
philosophical category and aesthetic experience.
In the
Romantic period, Longinus’s emphasis on passion, grandeur, and the ineffable
resonated with writers like Wordsworth and Coleridge, who sought to capture
the sublime in their poetry. Modern literary theory also owes a debt to
Longinus, particularly in its focus on reader response and the emotional
effects of literature.
However,
some critics argue that Longinus’s framework is too cantered on individual
genius and emotional intensity, overlooking the social and historical
dimensions of artistic production. In contemporary criticism, where issues of power,
ideology, and representation often dominate, Longinus’s universalist
claims about the sublime may seem overly idealistic.
Conclusion
Longinus’s
On the Sublime is a foundational text in literary criticism,
offering a compelling vision of artistic greatness that transcends the
limitations of time and culture. By emphasizing the transformative power of
literature and the interplay between genius, passion, and craft,
Longinus establishes a framework that continues to inspire and challenge
critics and artists alike. While his ideas may not fully align with the
concerns of modern criticism, the treatise’s insights into the emotional and
ethical dimensions of art remain as relevant today as they were in antiquity.
Ultimately, On the Sublime invites readers to engage with
literature not only as a technical achievement but as a profound and transcendent
human endeavour.
