Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
The sublime refers to an overwhelming sense of awe or terror experienced when confronted with something vast, powerful, or beyond human comprehension. It often evokes feelings of both attraction and fear.
Related terms
Beauty: In contrast to the sublime, beauty represents harmony, balance, and pleasing aesthetics.
Longinus' "On the Sublime": A treatise written by Longinus exploring the concept of sublimity in literature.
Picturesque: A term used to describe landscapes or scenes that are visually appealing but not necessarily grand or awe-inspiring.