On the Sublime

-LonginusPrepared by Megha Mohan Nair

I. Introduction

An important treatise of literary criticism by Longinus.

It was written in GreekFocus on the elevation of language as “a

kind of supreme excellent of discourse.”Longinus’s ideas on Sublime are of great

influence to Romantic literature and Criticism

II. What Sublime is.Sublime “consists in a certain loftiness

and excellence of language”it “is the image of greatness of mind” It “sways every reader whether he is

willingly or not”A sublime thought, “if happily timed,

illuminate the entire subject vividly like a lightening-flash, and exhibit the whole power of the orator in a moment of time”

Sublimity is not innate; it can be acquired by instruction.

The great passion can be controlled by reasoning.

True sublimity always pleases and pleases all readers regardless of their difference in the pursuits, of their manner of life, of their aspirations, their ages, and of their languages.

Our souls would be lifted up by the true sublimity.

III. The principal source of all sublimity

1. Grandeur of thoughts

2. A vigorous and spirited treatment of the passions

3. A certain artifice in the employment of figures, which are of two kinds, figures of thought and figures of speech

4. Dignified expression, which is sub-divided into two aspects ;（ a) The proper choose of words（ b) The use of metaphors and other ornaments of diction

• 5. Majesty and elevation of structure

IV. Faults which should be avoided in writingBombast

Puerility

False sentiment

Frigidity

V. Conclusion．On the Sublime was a letter written to a

friendIt is also a profound, insightful literary

treatiseThe writer put forward the definition of

Sublime on aesthetic level by the first time

Many British and German men of letters were also influenced by Sublime

Milton once claimed that Longinus was always the tutor he worshipped.