What was the aim of Longinus in writing his treatise “On the Sublime”
Longinus, the ancient Greek author of "On the
Sublime" (also known as "Peri Hupsous"), wrote his treatise with
the aim of exploring and defining the concept of the sublime in literature. In
his treatise, Longinus defines the sublime as a kind of elevated and elevated
language that evokes strong emotions in the reader or listener, such as awe and
wonder. He argues that the sublime is a powerful tool for writers and speakers,
as it can inspire and elevate the audience, and that it is a key component of
great literature.
Longinus also aimed to provide guidance on how to achieve the
sublime in literature. He discusses the various techniques that writers can use
to evoke the sublime, such as grand and elevated language, powerful imagery,
and strong emotions. He also emphasizes the importance of strong character, and
that the sublime can be found in any genre, not just epic poetry or tragedy.
In addition to his literary aims, Longinus also wrote
"On the Sublime" with the aim of providing guidance for public
speakers. He believed that the sublime could be used to inspire and move an
audience, and thus, he aimed to give speakers the tools they needed to achieve
the sublime in their speeches.
Overall, the aim of Longinus in writing "On the
Sublime" was to explore and define the concept of the sublime in
literature, to provide guidance on how to achieve the sublime in writing, and
to provide guidance for public speakers on how to use the sublime to inspire
and move an audience.
Why did Longinus write on the sublime
Longinus wrote his treatise "On the Sublime" as a
way to explore and define the concept of the sublime in literature. Longinus
believed that the sublime was a powerful tool for writers and speakers, as it
could inspire and elevate the audience. He saw it as a key component of great
literature. By providing a definition and guidance on how to achieve the
sublime in literature, Longinus aimed to help writers and speakers create more
powerful and effective works.
Longinus also wrote "On the Sublime" as a way to
provide guidance for public speakers. He believed that the sublime could be
used to inspire and move an audience, and thus, he aimed to give speakers the
tools they needed to achieve the sublime in their speeches.
Longinus also wanted to pay tribute to the literary figures
of the past who achieved the sublime in their works. He mentions Homer,
Demosthenes and Sophocles among others as examples of sublime writers.
In addition, Longinus wrote "On the Sublime" as a
way to analyze and critique the literature of his time, and to provide a
standard by which to judge literary works. By defining the sublime and
providing guidance on how to achieve it, Longinus aimed to elevate the level of
literature and to encourage writers to strive for greatness in their works.
Overall, Longinus wrote "On the Sublime" as a way
to explore and define the concept of the sublime in literature, to provide
guidance on how to achieve the sublime in writing, to provide guidance for
public speakers on how to use the sublime to inspire and move an audience, to
pay tribute to the literary figures of the past and to analyze and critique the
literature of his time.
What is the point of the sublime
The point of the sublime, as defined by Longinus in his
treatise "On the Sublime," is to evoke feelings of awe, grandeur, and
elevation in the audience. It is a literary device that aims to transcend the
ordinary and create an experience of transcendence. The sublime can be achieved
through a variety of means, including the use of grand and powerful imagery,
metaphors, and similes, as well as the use of elevated and grandiose language.
Longinus believed that the sublime was a powerful tool for
writers and speakers, as it could inspire and elevate the audience. He saw it
as a key component of great literature. By providing a definition and guidance
on how to achieve the sublime in literature, Longinus aimed to help writers and
speakers create more powerful and effective works.
The sublime can also be used to explore the relationship between
humanity and the natural world, and to create a sense of the infinite, the
ineffable and the transcendent.
Additionally, the sublime can also be seen as a way to tap
into the deepest emotions and thoughts of human being, like terror, awe,
transcendence, and the infinite, and how they relate to human understanding of
the world and of themselves.
Overall, the point of the sublime is to evoke powerful
emotions and thoughts in the audience, to transcend the ordinary and create an
experience of transcendence, to explore the relationship between humanity and
the natural world, and to tap into the deepest emotions and thoughts of human
being.
What according to Longinus is the most important sources of
sublime
According to Longinus, in his treatise "On the
Sublime," there are five main sources of the sublime: grandeur of thought,
the power of strong emotions, figures of speech, noble diction, and a certain
"something" that cannot be described or explained.
- Grandeur of thought: Longinus believed that the most important source of the sublime is grandeur of thought, which is the ability to think on a grand and elevated scale. He believed that this was the key to creating an experience of transcendence in the audience.
- Power of strong emotions: The power of strong emotions, such as fear and wonder, is another key source of the sublime according to Longinus. He believed that the ability to evoke these emotions in the audience was crucial to creating an experience of transcendence.
- Figures of speech: Longinus also believed that figures of speech, such as metaphor, simile, and hyperbole, were important sources of the sublime. He believed that these figures of speech could elevate the language and create an experience of transcendence in the audience.
- Noble diction: Longinus believed that noble diction, or elevated and grandiose language, was another key source of the sublime. He believed that the use of elevated language could create an experience of transcendence in the audience.
- Something indescribable: Longinus also believed that there is a certain "something" that cannot be described or explained that is an important source of the sublime. He called this "the power that lies beyond art" and believed that it is something that all great writers possess.
Overall, Longinus believed that grandeur of thought, the
power of strong emotions, figures of speech, noble diction, and a certain
"something" that cannot be described or explained are the most
important sources of the sublime.
When did Longinus write on the sublime
The exact date of when Longinus wrote his treatise "On
the Sublime" is unknown. It is believed to have been written in the 1st
century AD, but the exact date is uncertain. The treatise was rediscovered in
the Renaissance and became an important text in the history of literary
criticism. Longinus is known as the author of this treatise but some scholars
also suggest that it could have been written by a different person with the
same name.
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