The Theory of the Sublime from Longinus to Kant

by Robert Doran

In this book, Robert Doran offers the first in-depth treatment of the major theories of the sublime, from the ancient Greek treatise On the Sublime (attributed to 'Longinus') and its reception in early modern literary theory to the philosophical accounts of Burke and Kant. Doran explains how and why the sublime became a key concept of modern thought and shows how the various theories of sublimity are united by a common structure - the paradoxical experience of being at once overwhelmed and exalted - and a common concern: the preservation of a notion of transcendence in the face of the secularization of modern culture. Combining intellectual history with literary theory and philosophical analysis, his book provides a new, searching and multilayered account of a concept that continues to stimulate thought about our responses to art, nature and human events.

Genres: Philosophy, Art

328 pages, Hardcover

First published July 16, 2015

Reviews

[Connor Coyne]

Here's the thing; there are readers who can pick up a work of literary criticism and crank through it like it's no big deal. My brain doesn't work like that; despite an MFA in Creative Writing and a career as a freelance writer and copyeditor, and plenty of practice under my belt (my thesis involved Foucault and Derrida) this stuff has always been a struggle for me. I'm pasting in that background only to say that for some of us, this kind of writing will be a challenge no matter how much practice we get under our belts.

In the case of Doran's work, I had hoped that it would be worth the extra effort. The aesthetic concept of the Sublime came of age alongside Enlightenment philosophy, Gothic and Romantic literature, and many cultural, social, and political developments that continue to reverberate today. Sublimity may be one of most enigmatic concepts, springing from an anonymous Classical source and relying upon seemingly unreconcileable responses of subordination and elevation.

It is this paradox -- "dual transcendence" -- as Doran puts it that bridges understanding of the sublime over the course of its 1500+ year history.

It took me about a year to make it through this book, chipping away at it here and there, and sometimes putting it down for more than a month at a time. I read translations of almost all of the primary texts; the exception would be Kant's Critiques (ironically, probably the most integral to Doran's argument, but I didn't want to make this a two year project), and was able to follow his arguments. Some of the high points included:
- a richer understanding of Pseudo-Longinus' originating text as going beyond "mere rhetoric"
- a discussion of the reemergence of Sublime concepts following Boileau's translation and critique.
- Kant's situation of Sublimity as a moral, not just an aesthetic, concept.

Ultimately, I think I understand and am glad I read this; I "get" the sublime far better than I did before. I do recommend this book for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of this important concept; but if you struggle with literary critical writing as I do, be aware that this ~300 page book may be quite an undertaking.

[Daniel Schotman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good introduction if you want to undertake the daring challenge of reading Kant's 3rd Critique and what is leading up to Kant's notoriously famous and difficult work.

Also very good sections on Longinus and Burke's Aesthetic work on the Sublime.

[Michael]

look for my review on this book in the next issue of JAAC