On the Sublime

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

17957

Title

On the Sublime

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Longinus's timeless treatise defines the Sublime as a quality that elevates thought and emotion, distinguishing true grandeur from mere ornamentation. This classic explores the five sources of sublimity, including passion and imagery, while offering critical insights into rhetoric, style, and the nature of genius across the ages.

Summary up to 500 words

Longinus's *On the Sublime* stands as a seminal treatise on aesthetics and rhetoric, arguing that true greatness in literature and oratory arises not from rigid rules but from a natural force akin to passion. The work defines the Sublime as a power capable of overwhelming the audience, rendering rhetorical artifices invisible. Longinus identifies five primary sources of this sublimity: the grandeur of thought, the power to move passions, figures of speech, graceful expression, and the dignity of structure. He contends that while figures of speech are often viewed with suspicion for appearing artificial, they become effective when cloaked in sublimity and passion, which blind the audience to their constructed nature. To achieve this, writers must master specific devices that mimic the agitation of the soul. Longinus praises Demosthenes for his ability to vary sentence structure, utilizing asyndeton (the omission of connecting particles) and hyperbaton (transposition of words) to create a sense of urgent, natural emotion. These techniques prevent the stagnation of regularity, keeping the momentum of the speech alive. Furthermore, the treatise emphasizes the importance of choice, urging authors to select striking circumstances while avoiding pedantic ornamentation, broken clauses, undue prolixity, and anti-climax. Longinus also addresses the decline of genius in later ages, attributing it not to political despotism but to the corruption of manners and the pursuit of gain and pleasure. Throughout the text, he advocates for a noble, energetic style free from affectation, urging writers to imitate the best models while maintaining a connection to the highest human emotions. The work remains a foundational text for understanding how to craft a style that resonates with profound emotional depth.

LLM editorial rating

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Categories

• Philosophy
• Rhetoric