12.4 The influence of On the Sublime on later literary criticism
3 min read•august 9, 2024
' On left a lasting mark on literary criticism. His ideas about emotional impact and grandeur in writing shaped how people thought about art for centuries.
From Neoclassicism to , writers and thinkers kept coming back to Longinus' work. They took his concepts and ran with them, applying them to new forms of expression and expanding what "sublime" could mean.
Influence on Neoclassicism and Romanticism
Neoclassical Adoption of Sublime Principles
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- Neoclassicism embraced Longinus' concept of the sublime as a guiding aesthetic principle
- Writers and critics during the 17th and 18th centuries incorporated sublime elements into their works
- Emphasized grandeur, emotional impact, and elevated style in literature and art
- Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux translated On the Sublime into French in 1674, popularizing Longinus' ideas
- Boileau's translation influenced French and English literary criticism for decades
Romantic Reinterpretation of the Sublime
- Romanticism adopted the sublime as a central aesthetic concept, expanding its meaning
- Romantic poets and artists sought to evoke overwhelming emotions and in their audiences
- Shifted focus from rhetorical techniques to natural phenomena and individual experiences
- William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge explored the sublime in their poetry (Tintern Abbey, Kubla Khan)
- Romantic painters like Caspar David Friedrich depicted sublime landscapes to evoke emotional responses
Evolution of Sublime Concepts
- Boileau-Despréaux's translation bridged classical and modern interpretations of the sublime
- His work Art Poétique (1674) incorporated Longinus' ideas into French literary theory
- The concept of the sublime evolved from rhetorical grandeur to encompass emotional intensity
- Romantic thinkers expanded the sublime to include experiences of terror, infinity, and the unknown
- This evolution influenced artistic and literary movements well into the 19th century
Impact on Aesthetic Theory
Kant's Philosophical Exploration of the Sublime
- Immanuel Kant developed a comprehensive theory of the sublime in his (1790)
- Kant distinguished between the mathematical sublime and the dynamical sublime
- Mathematical sublime relates to vast magnitudes that overwhelm human comprehension (starry sky)
- Dynamical sublime involves powerful natural forces that inspire awe and fear (stormy ocean)
- Kant argued that the sublime arises from the tension between sensory limitations and rational faculties
Burke's Psychological Approach to the Sublime
- explored the psychological aspects of the sublime in A Philosophical Enquiry (1757)
- Burke associated the sublime with feelings of terror, astonishment, and awe
- Identified sources of the sublime in nature, art, and human experiences
- Contrasted the sublime with the beautiful, attributing different emotional responses to each
- Burke's ideas influenced Romantic literature and art, emphasizing emotional intensity
Aesthetic Theory Developments
- Longinus' work sparked ongoing debates about the nature and sources of
- Aesthetic theorists explored the relationship between form, content, and emotional impact
- The sublime became a key concept in discussions of taste, beauty, and artistic value
- Philosophers and critics examined the role of imagination in perceiving and creating sublime experiences
- These developments shaped modern aesthetics and influenced various artistic movements
Contributions to Literary Criticism
Elevation of Emotional Impact in Literature
- Longinus emphasized the importance of emotional impact in literary works
- Critics began to value literature's ability to move and inspire readers
- Introduced the concept of "transport" or emotional elevation as a measure of literary quality
- Influenced the development of reader-response criticism and affective stylistics
- Critics like Samuel Johnson and William Hazlitt incorporated emotional impact into their evaluations
Genius Theory and Creative Inspiration
- Longinus' work contributed to the development of genius theory in literary criticism
- Emphasized the role of innate talent and inspiration in creating sublime works
- Influenced Romantic notions of the poet as a visionary or prophet
- Critics began to explore the relationship between an author's personality and their work
- Led to increased interest in biographical criticism and authorial intent
Expansion of Critical Vocabulary
- On the Sublime introduced new terms and concepts for analyzing literary works
- Critics adopted Longinus' five sources of the sublime in their analyses (grand thoughts, strong emotions, figures of speech, noble diction, dignified composition)
- Expanded the range of literary devices and techniques considered in critical evaluations
- Influenced the development of close reading practices and textual analysis
- Contributed to the formation of modern literary theory and criticism methodologies
Key Terms to Review (18)
Aesthetic autonomy: Aesthetic autonomy refers to the idea that art should exist independently of external factors, such as moral, political, or social considerations. This concept emphasizes the intrinsic value of artistic expression and the belief that art should be evaluated based on its own criteria, rather than being subjected to utilitarian purposes or outside influences. This notion is crucial in understanding how the appreciation of beauty and the experience of art can be free from societal constraints.
Aesthetic experience: Aesthetic experience refers to the emotional, sensory, and intellectual engagement a person has when interacting with art or beauty. This experience often involves a deep appreciation and response to the elements of art, such as form, color, and composition, leading to a heightened awareness and enjoyment of the artwork. The concept is crucial in understanding how individuals perceive and value artistic expressions, especially in relation to the ideas presented in various literary theories.
Awe: Awe is an emotional response characterized by a mix of wonder, admiration, and reverence, often in the presence of something vast, powerful, or sublime. It plays a crucial role in understanding the sublime in literature and art, as it evokes a deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity of existence, leading to heightened emotional experiences.
Critique of judgment: The critique of judgment refers to the philosophical examination of aesthetic and teleological judgments, primarily articulated by Immanuel Kant in his work 'Critique of Judgment.' This concept explores how human perception relates to beauty, the sublime, and the moral implications of our judgments about nature and art. It connects deeply with discussions on the sublime by addressing how individuals experience feelings of awe and sublimity, and it also influences literary criticism by shaping how aesthetic value is assessed in various contexts.
Edmund Burke: Edmund Burke was an Irish statesman and philosopher, best known for his work 'A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful,' which explores the concept of the sublime as an aesthetic experience that evokes feelings of awe and terror. His ideas on the sublime have significantly influenced modern literary criticism and the understanding of emotional responses in art, making him a key figure in both Classical rhetoric and poetics.
Enlightenment: The Enlightenment was an intellectual and cultural movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, characterized by an emphasis on reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. This period marked a shift away from superstition and dogma, advocating for scientific thought and rational discourse, which deeply influenced literature and criticism during this time.
Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. This device is often used to create strong emotional effects, emphasizing feelings, experiences, or traits in a way that connects deeply with the audience. In literature, hyperbole can enhance style and emotion, impacting how readers perceive a work and influencing critical interpretations of sublime moments.
Longinus: Longinus is the name attributed to the author of 'On the Sublime', a significant work in Classical rhetoric that explores the concept of the sublime in literature and oratory. His ideas focus on how elevated language and style can evoke profound emotional responses in audiences, which connects deeply to the broader tradition of Classical literature and its enduring impact on later literary criticism.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things, suggesting that one thing is another to highlight similarities and create deeper meaning. Metaphors are powerful tools in poetry and literature, as they evoke emotions, create vivid imagery, and convey complex ideas succinctly.
Pathos: Pathos refers to an emotional appeal used in literature and rhetoric to evoke feelings of pity, sympathy, or sorrow from the audience. This powerful tool connects the audience emotionally to the text, creating a deeper engagement and understanding of the themes presented.
Romanticism: Romanticism is an artistic and intellectual movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature. It marked a departure from the rationalism of the Enlightenment and celebrated personal experience, creativity, and the sublime, influencing literature, art, and philosophy across various genres.
Sublime beauty: Sublime beauty refers to an aesthetic quality that inspires awe, grandeur, and transcendence in the viewer, often evoking strong emotions that go beyond ordinary beauty. This concept encompasses feelings of wonder, admiration, and even fear, arising from the overwhelming power of nature or art. The sublime is often connected to themes of the infinite and the ineffable, which can lead to profound contemplation and reflection.
Sublime irony: Sublime irony refers to a complex aesthetic experience where profound beauty or grandeur is intertwined with a sense of detachment, contradiction, or even mockery. This term captures the idea that something can be both awe-inspiring and deeply ironic, often highlighting the tensions between the ideal and the real, or between lofty ideals and human limitations.
The sublime: The sublime refers to an aesthetic quality that evokes intense feelings of awe, wonder, and sometimes terror, often in response to nature or art that exceeds ordinary beauty. It challenges the observer’s understanding of the world, pushing them towards transcendence and a recognition of the limits of human experience. This concept has had a lasting impact on literary criticism and the ways we appreciate literature and art.
The sublime object of ideology: The sublime object of ideology refers to the way certain objects or ideals can evoke powerful emotional responses and become central to an individual's ideological beliefs. This concept suggests that these objects are not just representations of reality but also serve as a source of inspiration, awe, and sometimes even terror, which can deeply influence how individuals perceive and engage with their beliefs and values.
The tragic sublime: The tragic sublime refers to the heightened emotional and aesthetic experience that arises from the confrontation with tragic elements in art and literature. This concept blends feelings of awe, terror, and beauty, elevating the human experience by presenting profound suffering or moral dilemmas that resonate deeply with the audience, allowing them to reflect on the complexities of life and existence.
Transcendentalism: Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early 19th century in America, emphasizing the inherent goodness of people and nature, as well as the importance of individual intuition and spirituality. This movement advocated for a deep connection to nature, personal reflection, and a belief in the divine presence within each individual, contrasting with traditional religious views and societal norms. Its ideals greatly influenced later literary criticism by promoting the exploration of human experience and the sublime.
Victorian Era: The Victorian Era refers to the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901, marked by significant cultural, political, and social change in Britain. This time was characterized by industrial progress, the expansion of the British Empire, and a rise in literary output that included themes of morality, social reform, and the exploration of the human condition. The era's influence can still be seen in modern literature and criticism.