Longinus

Longinus as a Literary Critic:

Longinus was the third great critic with insight and originality after Plato and Aristotle. There was a powerful effect of Plato's philosophy on him and his writings. He was the first romantic critic. He gave his own 'effective' theory of literature which seeks to define literature in terms of its function to move and transport. He follows Plato to some extent. He, too, considers poetry as an imitation of imitation. He agrees with Aristotle that poetry is a pack of lies, it has its own unique and wholesome function. But still, he wants to say something more in addition to these two great critics' theories. He is the pioneer as far as comparative criticism is concerned. It was he who contrasted the styles of Cicero with Demosthenes.

Focus on Literary Evaluation:

Instead of asking the ontological questions regarding the nature of literature he undertook the task of establishing a sound orientation to discern good literature from the bad and to assess its worth or value. And to illustrate this he gave his concept of sublime.

The Concept of Sublime:

Sublime: it is the general quest of mankind from the dawn of the universe to see sublimity and beauty. Man abhors ugliness and enjoys beauty. Grandeur and glorious things are the goals for mankind. So, it is the duty of a poet to provide great, grand, sublime, and beautiful things to mankind. Tagore used to say that if Almighty comes, he must come in the form of beauty. According to Longinus, "She (nature) poured into ourselves a deathless longing for all that is great and divine than ourselves". Now, the problem is about the classification of sublime literature. Which type of literature is called sublime?

The Test of Sublimity in Literature:

As David Daiches writes, the value of a work of literature can be accessed, according to Longinus, by introspecting on the part of the reader or hearer. If he is carried away, transported, moved to ecstasy by the grandeur and passion of the work, then the work is good. Sublimity is the greatest of all the literary virtues, the one which makes a work, whatever its minor faults, truly impressive. The ultimate function of literature and its ultimate justification is to be sublime. The power of literature to move the reader is the touchstone of excellence in literature.

Qualities of a Poet for Creating Sublime Literature:

Longinus, then, discusses how a poet can create sublime literature. Mere technical skill or invention does not help a work in making it sublime. The poet must have certain qualities.

• First of all, a poet must be a worthy person for writing poetry.

• His poetry must be the reflection of his deep thinking and feelings.

• A poet must be a man of a tender heart, like Valmiki, who can be easily excited even by a trifle incident or event.

• He must depict effective thinking and vehement feeling which can carry away the reader or hearer (A good poet must be a good combination of thinking and feeling).

• Because, as someone says, "Sublime in literature is an outcome of a happy harmony between creative genius, imagination, and mastery of technique."

Role of Inspiration and Hard Work:

Longinus, like Plato, believes that all good poets write their poetry when they are possessed by the muse, but he also stresses some painful toil necessary for sublime literature. Because hard is beautiful. According to him, genius is ninety-nine percent perspiration and one percent inspiration. He insists on a thorough knowledge of language on the part of a writer. Choice of words, style, and excellence in composition are necessary for sublime literature. Sublimity requires toil not of one age but maybe of many ages.

Five Sources of Sublimity:

The question next arises about the technical sources of sublimity. Longinus has noted five principal sources of sublime literature.

1. Grandeur of Thought:

   • Sublimity is the echo of the greatness of the soul. So great words should fall from the lips of those whose thinking is majestic and royal.

   • "For beautiful words are the true and peculiar light of the mind."

   • Higher thought could transport the reader.

2. Capacity for Strong Emotion:

   • He thought of emotion as an important factor in sublimity.

   • True emotion used at the right place makes a work grand.

   • Like stately thoughts, stately emotions also belong to the loftiest soul.

   • Longinus values emotions primarily for the aesthetic transport they cause.

   • By giving emotions poet could lift us out of ourselves or transport us.

   • Thus, he emphasized the power of emotion in poetry.

3. Appropriate Use of Figures:

   • Thought and passion are the lifeblood of the sublime but at the same time, the technique of expression is also essential for the poet.

   • Beautiful thought and beautiful passion, when expressed beautifully, achieve the true significance of the sublime.

4. Nobility of Diction:

   • Longinus laid stress on the choice of words, metaphors, and ornamental language.

   • Suitable words have a moving and seductive effect.

5. Dignity of Composition:

   • The last factor of sublime is the wonderful composition of all the above factors.

   • Such an arrangement has not only "a natural power of persuasion and of giving pleasure but also the marvelous power of exalting the soul and swaying the heart of men."

The Role of Audience in Sublime Literature:

These all are the sources of sublime. Sublimity pre-supposes a reading public that has read much and with effort. The tests of sublime literature are to be constantly kept before the mind of a writer.

 Longinus’ Contribution to Literary Criticism:

Thus, he produced the first effective theory of literature. The ultimate business of literature is to be sublime and to produce in the readers the effect of ecstasy and transport. He is unique from his predecessors in his new test of literary excellence i.e. transport. Instruction, delight, and persuasion all of which kept the reader within the bounds of reason. He uses an intimate connection between the greatness of soul and the greatness of speech.

Longinus: A Unique Literary Figure:

Longinus, thus, is three characters in one:

• A classicist in taste,

• A romanticist in temper, and

• An idealist at heart.