00011--Sources of Sublimity in Literature according to Longinus

      







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There are five sources of sublimity according to Longinus.  They are: 

1) GRANDEUR OF THOUGHT,

2) CAPACITY FOR STRONG EMOTION,

3) APPROPRIATE USE OF FIGURES,

4) NOBILITY OF DICTION, and, 

5) DIGNITY IN COMPOSITION. 

The first two of these five sources are gifts of nature, and the last three can be cultivated by art.  

Grand thoughts and strong emotions emanate from the lofty soul.  Sublimity is the echo of greatness of soul.  It is impossible for those whose thoughts are mean and acts servile to produce anything worth universal respect or admiration.  Lofty thoughts and noble emotions belong to the noble soul and lofty mind.  meanness and sublimity cannot dwell together.  

A mean thought is too low to be expressed through sublime diction.  There is a natural synthesis between noble thoughts and sentiments with appropriate use of figures, nobility of diction and dignity of composition.  Figures of speech add to the dignity of expression.  But they should be used judiciously so that they may not become cumbersome.  Sweet and suitable words add to the grandeur, beauty and dignity of expression.  A proper arrangement of all these elements would impart sublime harmony and grandeur to the whole work.  
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