In 'On the Sublime,' traditionally attributed to Longinus, the author explores what constitutes good writing, emphasizing the concept of the sublime—a profound emotional state often evoked by nature's power. Longinus identifies five sources of sublimity: strength of thought, inspired emotion, effective use of figures of speech, notable language, and a dignified overall effect, while distinguishing true sublime writing from false sublimity created by lack of genuine passion and poor technique. This treatise critiques both literary excellence and the pitfalls that can detract from authentic expression.

1. LONGINUS
Younis A. Mustafa

2. Longinus “On the Sublime”
“On the Sublime” is a small treatise in which Longinus
tackles the question “what is good writing, and how it
may be achieved?”
His answer for this question is: “good writing partakes of
what he calls the Sublime.”

3. What is the Sublime?
The sublime is a state of intense emotion, often connected
with terror aroused by the vision of nature upset by
terrible storm, devasting power of urricanes, volcanoes
and rocks. The term especially is associated to an
experience of vastness beyond calculation or
comprehension, for example the sense of awe we feel
before an ocean or a starry sky.

4. WORK ABOUT THE SUBLIME
We can find the theme of the sublime in:
Literature ("On the sublime" by Longinus);
Art (Friedrich and William Turner);
Poetry (Coleridge); Philosophy.

5. ON THE SUBLIME
On the sublime is a greek work of literary criticism
dated the century AD. The author is unknown but is
conventionally referred to Longinus. In this work
Longinus says that the sublime refers to the quality of
greatness, whether physical, moral, intellectual,
metaphysical, aesthetic, spiritual, artistic. And the
author says that the sublime is not identified with the
beautiful, but something that provoks surprise and
shock.

6. In "On The Sublime" Longinus applauds and condemns
certain works of literature; he promotes an "elevation of
style" and gives five sources of sublimity:
five sources of true sublime according to Longinus :-
1. Strength and greatness of thought. Only great ideas are
capable of moving readers to higher realms. If the idea is not
great, the reader cannot be transported. In other words, shallow
ideas make shallow literature. Them and and.
2. Vehement and inspired emotion. Inspired emotion
presupposes an inborn quality that comes out of genius. The
poet works not with rules but with flashes of creativity.
3. The proper construction of figures of the speech. Different
figures of speech (images, metaphors, similes, etc.) summarize
an idea and an emotion in an instant of time. Figures of speech
are the shortest possible way to a clear and precise emotion.

7. 4. Notable language. The poet needs the right words to express
the appropriate emotion. The arrangement of proper words
coupled with inspired emotion will ensure excellence in writing.
5. General effect of dignity and elevation. The general effect of a
passage comes out when all the four elements previously
mentioned are combined together. It is the overall impression
that comes out of them that makes a piece of writing excellent.

8. General notes and headlines
1. No writer can maintain excellence throughout his writing.
2. Only certain passages could be excellent and express that
flash of genius we associate with the sublime.
3. A good writer cannot be excellent throughout; he is apt to be
weak in certain places but that is normal.
4. A mediocre writer will try through craftsmanship to be
consistent, yet consistency never leads to excellence.
5. The sublime is related to genius, but it is cultivated genius.

9. The Factors of the False Sublime
while discussing the sources of true sublime, Longinus
also deals with the factors of the false sublime or what
is not sublime.
 To him, the vices of the sublime emerge out of the lack of
passion sincerely and inadequacy of communication caused
by faulty techniques.
 The following factors are described to mention how they
cause sublime to be false:
Bathos or bombast: all that overwrought, pseudo-tragic clap-trap
(trivial and unbelievable talk) associated with melodrama
Inflated and hyperbolic Language: that is used, inappropriately,
to heighten subjects that do not deserve such a treatment
Fashionable expressions and fanciful images: especially when
sincerity is sidelined in favor of the obsession for fashionable style

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