Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction
Plato and Aristotle are succeeded by a number of Roman literary critics. There are some who expand upon Platos and Aristotles thought, such as Plotinus. There are others who strive to study other aspects of literature, such as Horace and Longinus, whose works concern aspects of literature not yet described by Plato and Aristotle.
NEOCLASSICISM
Horace
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) is more interested in how the poet may delight and instruct an intelligent reader than he is in defining what a poem is or what literature is. This is connected to his famous catchphrase utile et dulce which means that literature must be both enjoyable and useful. Horaces Art of Poetry also contains a number of catchphrases that influence particularly the neo-classical movements of the seventeenth century in France and England.
Horace
Horaces version of imitation differs from that of Platos and Aristotles It recognizes the importance of copying nature But, it emphasizes imitation of the methods of the great classical writers. This emphasis is echoed by neoclassical writers like Dryden and Pope
Horace
Horace emphasizes decorum, by which he means the rightness of each part to the whole. His concept is also influential in the neoclassical movements. His most influential work remains the Art of Poetry, which summarizes entirely his critical thoughts and influence many neoclassicist writers.
The writer should choose correct and right words; He should use meters maintaining their appropriateness; He should be able to choose a proper subject; He should make use of proper poetic diction; He should follow the rules of ancient arts.
7
For Horace:
A writer must choose a subject within his power and appropriate to his gifts; He must say at any given moment what needs to be said, and no more. He must choose vocabulary, meter and form that are right for his subject, whether noble, exciting, erotic or joyous.
Horace warns against extravagant improbability and inappropriateness. Indeed the prevailing emphasis throughout is on the need for consistency, coherence and decorum. It is the writer's business to refine and polish his text that the highest standards of propriety and artistry are maintained. However, Horace demands a craft mans skill in an artist; he does not utterly neglect the role of natural talent in art. In fact, he is insisting on a complementary relationship between learned artistry and genius.
9
In poetry, words are like various colors that are put beautifully.
He outlines the following rules of decorum to be in good poetry so that the pragmatic effect of poetry (Teach and delight) can be achieved: Unity and simplicity of forms:
Simplicity refers to clarity that is everyone understands. Unity is the perfect combination of beginning, middle and ending. Everything should be matching so that it creates decorum and the sense of propriety. (Correctnes + Suitable)
11
13
Appropriateness of meter:
Horace prefers Virgil's opinion that to follow Homer is to follow nature. Homer says it is appropriate to use hexameter in epic, iambic pentameter in tragedy and hexameter and iambic pentameter in elegy.
14
Consistency of characters:
The characters should be consistent and life like. His views on characters are identical to Aristotle. Character traits should be based on age, there should not be any exaggeration, that is which is not possible to the character must not be presented. Therefore, characters should be convincing, probable and consistent.
15
16
17
Longinus
How does Longinus define the "sublime? How is the "true sublime" differentiated from the false sublime"?
18
Definition of Sublime
Definition of Sublime
sublime is lofty and excellent poetic creation with power to please, persuade and move the readers
22
23
The third source of sublime is the poetic use of language. The formation and use of figures help the elevated expression if they are properly used. Such a use of figures should not be mechanical and forceful. They should be used genuinely and as per the demands of the contextual environment. Example
The proper use of rhetorical question makes an immediate appeal to the emotions. It is a statement in question form that suggests its own answer.
24
4. Noble diction
The fourth source of sublime is diction It includes choice and arrangement of words. Longinus says that the use of proper and striking words captivate (hold attention) the hearers. The words, to him, should be noble corresponding to the subject matter and emotion. So as to convey grandeur and beauty, giving breath in to dead things.
25
26
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 27 when sincerity is sidelined in favor of the obsession for