On the Sublime

-Longinus

Prepared by Adeel Raza

I. Introduction
An

important treatise of literary criticism by

Longinus.
It was written in Greek
Focus on the elevation of language as a kind of
supreme excellent of discourse.
Longinuss 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 writing
Bombast
Puerility
False

sentiment

Frigidity

V. Conclusion
On

the Sublime was a letter written to a friend

It is also a profound, insightful literary treatise
The 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.