Longinus as a critic (On the Sublime)

-


Introduction

Longinus is one of the most influential figures in the history of literary criticism. Although little is known with certainty about his life, he is traditionally considered the author of the famous treatise On the Sublime (Peri Hypsous), a work that explores the nature of great writing and the sources of its power. Scholars debate his exact identity, and some even question whether the work was written by a single author, but “Longinus” remains the name most commonly associated with this masterpiece. His ideas about the “sublime” as a quality in literature that elevates the mind and stirs deep emotions have had a lasting influence on literary theory and aesthetics.

Life and Historical Background

The identity of Longinus is uncertain. Some scholars suggest that he was Cassius Longinus, a third-century philosopher and rhetorician, while others believe the treatise was written much earlier, around the first century CE. The lack of clear historical evidence means that Longinus remains more of a literary figure than a biographical one. Regardless of the author’s exact identity, On the Sublime stands as a major contribution to classical criticism and the study of rhetoric.

The Treatise: On the Sublime

On the Sublime is a critical essay written in Greek. Unlike other rhetorical handbooks of antiquity, which focused mainly on technical rules, this work is concerned with the emotional and moral power of literature. Longinus addresses his treatise to a certain Posthumius Terentianus, offering guidance on how to achieve greatness in writing.

The central idea of the work is that the purpose of literature is not only to persuade or inform but also to move and elevate the reader or listener. True greatness in writing, according to Longinus, is marked by the “sublime,” which lifts the soul above ordinary life and gives a sense of grandeur and nobility.

The Concept of the Sublime

Longinus defines the sublime as a quality in literature that produces a sense of elevation and transports the audience beyond themselves. Unlike beauty, which pleases the senses, the sublime has the power to astonish, inspire awe, and create a sense of greatness.

He identifies five main sources of the sublime:

  1. Great thoughts: Literature must reflect noble and elevated ideas.
  2. Strong emotions: Genuine passion gives writing intensity and force.
  3. Figures of speech: Skillful use of rhetorical devices can create grandeur.
  4. Noble diction: Words should be dignified, powerful, and appropriate.
  5. Majestic arrangement of words: The structure and rhythm of sentences contribute to the sense of sublimity.

Style and Method of Criticism

Longinus’s approach to criticism is distinctive because he emphasizes the effect of literature on the reader rather than just its technical correctness. He argues that rules are not enough to create greatness; true sublimity requires imagination, passion, and moral strength. His style is lively, full of examples from Homer, Plato, Demosthenes, and other great writers, showing his wide knowledge of classical literature.

Influence on Literary Criticism

The influence of Longinus has been profound and far-reaching. His treatise was rediscovered in the Renaissance and became central to discussions of aesthetics and rhetoric. During the eighteenth century, writers such as Edmund Burke, Immanuel Kant, and later Romantic poets were deeply influenced by the idea of the sublime. For them, it became not only a literary concept but also a philosophical and artistic one, applied to nature, art, and human experience.

In English literature, Longinus inspired critics such as John Dryden and Alexander Pope, while later writers like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge found his notion of the sublime useful in describing the power of poetry and nature.

Limitations and Criticism

Although On the Sublime is celebrated, it is not a complete work. The manuscript we have is damaged, with missing sections. Some critics also point out that Longinus’s examples are mostly classical, making his work less adaptable to later forms of literature. However, his emphasis on passion, imagination, and grandeur continues to resonate across cultures and time periods.

Legacy

Longinus’s concept of the sublime remains a cornerstone of literary and aesthetic theory. By focusing on the power of literature to inspire awe and elevate the human spirit, he moved beyond the technicalities of rhetoric and opened the way for later explorations of beauty, art, and imagination. His insights continue to influence how readers and critics understand the greatness of literature.

Conclusion

Longinus stands as one of the earliest and greatest literary critics. His treatise On the Sublime is not merely a manual of rhetoric but a profound reflection on the nature of art and its ability to uplift the human mind. Though little is known about his life, his ideas live on, shaping centuries of literary thought and aesthetic philosophy. His vision of the sublime reminds us that the greatest works of literature are those that transcend the ordinary and awaken in us a sense of wonder and greatness.

Popular Posts

"Cry, the Peacock": A Detailed Summary and Analysis

-
Introduction Cry, the Peacock is Anita Desai ’s first novel. It was published in 1963. The novel explores a woman’s emotional struggles and her experience of loneliness and despair. The story focuses on Maya, the main character, and her troubled marriage. She suffers from isolation and mental instability. Anita Desai presents the fragility of the human mind and the difficulties of marriage. Brief Summary The novel takes place in post-independence India. However, the story focuses more on personal struggles than political events. Maya is a young woman who lives with her husband, Gautama. Gautama is a practical and intellectual man. He does not show emotions, and he does not understand Maya’s feelings. Maya is sensitive and emotional. She wants love and affection, but Gautama does not give her the attention she needs. Maya feels lonely and neglected. She spends most of her time thinking about her life. She creates fantasies in her mind to escape her loneliness. One important symbol in t...
Read more

Phonetics and Phonology : Definition and difference

-
Phonetics and phonology are two closely related subfields of linguistics that both deal with the sounds of speech, but they focus on different aspects of these sounds. Phonetics is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds, specifically how they are produced, transmitted, and perceived. It is concerned with the actual sounds themselves—how they are articulated, how they travel through the air as sound waves, and how they are received by the ear and processed by the brain. Phonetics is typically divided into three subfields: 1. Articulatory Phonetics : This branch focuses on the physical production of speech sounds. It looks at the movements of the vocal organs (such as the tongue, lips, and vocal cords) and how these movements create different speech sounds. It studies how different places and manners of articulation (e.g., voicing, nasality, consonant types like stops or fricatives) contribute to the production of speech. 2. Acoustic Phonetics : This branch is concerned w...
Read more

Dhwani Theory by Anandvardhana: an introduction

-
Anandvardhana was a Kashmiri court poet and literary critic, honored with the title of Rajanak during King Avantivarman's reign.  Anandavardhana authored the Dhvanyāloka , or A Light on Suggestion (dhwani), a work articulating the philosophy of "aesthetic suggestion" (dhwani, vyaΓ±janā). Anandavardhana is credited with creating the dhwani theory. He wrote that dhwani (meaning sound, or evocation) is the "soul" or "essence" (ātman) of poetry (kavya).  Anandavardhana said, "When the poet writes, he creates a eloquent field of emotions." To understand the poetry, the reader or hearer must be on the same wavelength. Important points~ •Dhvani theory is a theory of suggestion that is considered to be the soul of poetry.  •The theory of Dhvani is a major contribution to Sanskrit literary theory.  •The theory of Dhvani suggests that the main goal of good poetry is to evoke a mood or "flavor" (rasa).  •The theory of Dhvani suggests that this...
Read more