7.2 The Concept of the Sublime in Different Cultural Contexts
2 min read•july 24, 2024
in Romantic literature captivated readers with -inspiring beauty and . From classical roots to Burke and Kant's theories, it evolved to emphasize individual experience and nature's power, influencing across cultures.
Eastern and Western interpretations of the sublime differed in focus. While Western Romantics highlighted individual encounters with wild nature, Eastern traditions emphasized harmony and unity, shaping artistic techniques and philosophical thought for generations.
The Sublime in Romantic Literature
Concept of the sublime
Top images from around the web for Concept of the sublime
Goethe on Vesuvius, in search of the sublime View original
Is this image relevant?
UK | Byron's Muse View original
Is this image relevant?
%25252C_1861_(color).jpg&w=640&q=75)
Mary Wollstonecraft - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Goethe on Vesuvius, in search of the sublime View original
Is this image relevant?
UK | Byron's Muse View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Concept of the sublime
Goethe on Vesuvius, in search of the sublime View original
Is this image relevant?
UK | Byron's Muse View original
Is this image relevant?
Mary Wollstonecraft - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Goethe on Vesuvius, in search of the sublime View original
Is this image relevant?
UK | Byron's Muse View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Core elements overwhelm emotionally, inspire awe, and blend terror with beauty
- Classical rhetoric roots trace back to ' "On the Sublime" treatise
- Romantic literature shifted focus from classical beauty to emotional intensity emphasizing individual experience and imagination
- 's "A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful" and 's "Critique of Judgment" theorized key concepts
- Aesthetic categories encompass vastness, infinity, power, and obscurity (Grand Canyon, starry night sky)
Sublime in cultural contexts
- German Romantic literature explored transcendence in Novalis' "" and Friedrich Hölderlin's ""
- English Romantic poetry delved into nature's sublimity through Wordsworth's "," Coleridge's "Kubla Khan," and Shelley's ""
- Russian Romantic literature examined human limitations in Pushkin's "" and Lermontov's ""
- Common themes across cultures portrayed nature as sublime source, spiritual awakening, and mortality confrontation
Eastern and Western Interpretations of the Sublime
Eastern vs Western sublime
- Western Romantic sublime emphasized individual experience, wild nature, and fear-attraction tension (Niagara Falls, Mount Everest)
- Eastern Romantic sublime focused on nature harmony, influenced by Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism philosophies
- Japanese aesthetics incorporated (subtle profundity) and (pathos of things)
- Indian Romantic tradition utilized in Sanskrit poetics, exploring (emotion) and rasa (aesthetic flavor)
- Both traditions appreciated nature's grandeur and explored human emotions, but differed in individual vs unity focus
Impact of sublime aesthetics
- Aesthetic values transformed from classical harmony to emotional intensity and imagination
- Romantic artistic techniques developed vivid , dream exploration, and experimental forms
- Post-Romantic movements like , Surrealism, and Expressionism drew inspiration from sublime concepts
- Philosophical thought influenced Existentialism and Phenomenology
- Environmental literature and ecocriticism emerged (Deep ecology movement, nature writing)
- Contemporary interpretations expanded to technological, urban, and postmodern sublime (skyscrapers, virtual reality)
Key Terms to Review (30)
Aesthetic Experience: Aesthetic experience refers to the sensory and emotional engagement with art or nature, leading to a heightened awareness and appreciation of beauty and form. This term encompasses the feelings and thoughts that arise when individuals encounter works of art or experience the sublime in nature, connecting deeper emotions and intellectual responses to cultural contexts.
Awe: Awe is an intense emotional response that combines feelings of wonder, admiration, and reverence, often in relation to something larger or more powerful than oneself. This experience can evoke a sense of the sublime, connecting individuals to deeper existential questions and cultural meanings across various contexts. The emotion of awe is frequently tied to nature, art, or spiritual experiences, highlighting humanity's search for understanding and meaning in the face of the vastness of existence.
Bhava: Bhava is a Sanskrit term that refers to the emotional state, mood, or feeling that an artist or poet seeks to evoke in their audience. It is deeply tied to the concept of the sublime, as it embodies the emotional response and psychological depth present in art and literature across various cultures, highlighting how emotions can transcend ordinary experience to touch on the sublime.
Demon: A demon is typically understood as a supernatural being, often malevolent, that can embody chaos, temptation, or fear. In various cultural contexts, demons serve as manifestations of the sublime, representing the overwhelming power of nature, moral dilemmas, and the darker aspects of human experience. The portrayal of demons can evoke both terror and awe, blurring the lines between beauty and horror, thus reflecting the complexities of the sublime across different cultures.
Eastern Sublime: The Eastern Sublime refers to a concept of aesthetic and emotional experience derived from Eastern philosophies, literature, and art, where beauty is intertwined with feelings of awe and transcendence. This idea often emphasizes the spiritual and natural elements found in Eastern cultures, drawing attention to the emotional impact that landscapes, art, and spiritual practices can have on individuals, contrasting with Western interpretations of the sublime.
Edmund Burke: Edmund Burke was an 18th-century Irish statesman and philosopher, widely regarded as a key figure in the development of modern political thought. He is best known for his writings on aesthetics, particularly his concept of the sublime, which explores the emotional response to beauty, nature, and art. Burke's ideas on the sublime have influenced various cultural contexts, emphasizing the balance between beauty and terror in human experience.
Enlightenment: The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It marked a shift towards valuing scientific inquiry and rational thought over superstition and dogma, significantly influencing art, literature, and politics.
Frankenstein: Frankenstein is a novel written by Mary Shelley, first published in 1818, that explores themes of creation, responsibility, and the consequences of defying natural order. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a sentient creature through an unorthodox experiment, ultimately leading to tragic results. This narrative not only represents a pivotal moment in Romantic literature but also engages with the concept of the sublime by highlighting the awe and terror of human ambition and the natural world.
Gothic Literature: Gothic literature is a genre that combines elements of horror, the supernatural, and romanticism, often set in dark, mysterious settings like castles or abandoned houses. It evokes feelings of dread and terror while exploring themes such as isolation, madness, and the sublime. This genre has influenced various cultural movements and reflects deeper philosophical questions regarding human experience and emotion.
Heart of Darkness: Heart of Darkness is a novella by Joseph Conrad that explores themes of imperialism, colonialism, and the nature of evil through the journey of Charles Marlow into the African Congo. The text serves as a powerful critique of European colonialism, revealing the darkness inherent in human nature and the impact of greed and exploitation on both colonizers and the colonized.
Hymns to the Night: Hymns to the Night is a poetic work by Novalis, exploring themes of love, loss, and the transcendence of human experience through night imagery. This collection reflects the Romantic era's fascination with nature, spirituality, and the sublime, as it emphasizes emotional depth and the longing for unity with the cosmos. The work invites readers to contemplate the intersection of darkness and illumination, resonating with broader themes of transformation and introspection often found in Romantic poetry and prose.
Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a rhetorical device that involves deliberate and extravagant exaggeration for emphasis or effect. It is often used to create a strong impression, evoke emotion, or convey the intensity of an experience. In discussions about the sublime, hyperbole can serve to magnify feelings of awe and wonder, reflecting cultural attitudes toward nature and the human condition.
Hyperion: Hyperion refers to a Titan in Greek mythology, often associated with light and observation. In a broader literary context, the term has come to symbolize themes of the sublime, especially in works that explore human emotions in relation to nature's grandeur and the cosmos. Hyperion embodies the awe-inspiring aspects of existence that evoke deep feelings of both beauty and terror, connecting with ideas about the sublime across various cultural perspectives.
Imagery: Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that evokes sensory experiences, creating vivid pictures in the reader's mind. It encompasses visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory details, helping to enhance the emotional and thematic depth of a literary work.
Immanuel Kant: Immanuel Kant was an influential 18th-century German philosopher whose ideas on aesthetics and the concept of the sublime significantly shaped Western thought. His work highlighted the relationship between human perception and the natural world, emphasizing how experiences of beauty and the sublime provoke profound emotional responses. Kant's exploration of the sublime contrasts with beauty, suggesting that the sublime transcends ordinary experience and evokes feelings of awe and terror.
Longinus: Longinus is a name associated with a Greek philosopher and literary critic, traditionally credited with authoring the treatise 'On the Sublime'. This work explores the concept of the sublime in literature and art, emphasizing the emotional impact and elevated quality that sublime works evoke in audiences. The ideas presented by Longinus have greatly influenced various cultural interpretations of sublimity, particularly during the Romantic period and beyond.
Mono no aware: Mono no aware is a Japanese aesthetic concept that translates to 'the pathos of things' or 'the empathy towards things.' It captures a deep awareness of the transient beauty of life, emphasizing the fleeting nature of existence and the emotional response this evokes in individuals. This term resonates with themes of impermanence and evokes a bittersweet feeling, highlighting how beauty is often intertwined with loss and nostalgia, allowing for a richer appreciation of life’s ephemeral moments.
Mont Blanc: Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps, standing at 4,808 meters (15,774 feet) above sea level. It has been a significant symbol in literature and art, often associated with the concept of the sublime due to its immense beauty and daunting presence. This connection to the sublime highlights humanity's complex relationship with nature, evoking both awe and terror.
Poetry: Poetry is a form of literary expression that uses elevated language, rhythm, and often metaphorical imagery to convey emotions, ideas, or experiences. It is distinct from prose in its structure and use of devices such as meter, rhyme, and various forms, allowing poets to evoke profound feelings and thoughts in a compact form. The concept of poetry can intersect with the sublime, as both aim to evoke strong emotional responses and transcend ordinary experiences.
Postmodernism: Postmodernism is a literary, artistic, and cultural movement that emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against the principles of modernism. It is characterized by skepticism toward grand narratives, embracing paradox, playfulness, and a fragmented approach to structure and meaning. This movement often blurs the boundaries between genres and challenges traditional forms, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life.
Rasa Theory: Rasa theory is a key concept in Indian aesthetics that refers to the emotional experience or aesthetic flavor that a work of art, particularly in drama and poetry, evokes in the audience. It encompasses various emotions and moods that resonate with the viewer or reader, emphasizing the idea that art should evoke a deep emotional response and connection. This theory plays a significant role in classical Asian dramatic traditions and offers insight into the concept of the sublime, as it explores how different cultures perceive and experience beauty and emotion through artistic expressions.
Romanticism: Romanticism is an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in the late 18th century and emphasized emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature. This movement sought to break away from the conventions of rationalism and classicism, instead celebrating creativity, imagination, and the sublime experiences of life.
Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary device where symbols are used to represent ideas, qualities, or concepts beyond their literal meaning. This technique allows authors to convey deeper layers of meaning and evoke emotions through imagery, fostering connections between the reader and the text on a more profound level.
Terror: Terror is an intense feeling of fear or dread, often associated with a sense of helplessness or vulnerability in the face of overwhelming forces. It can provoke strong emotional responses and is frequently linked to experiences that transcend ordinary understanding, connecting deeply to the concept of the sublime, where beauty and fear intermingle to create profound experiences. In various cultural contexts, terror serves not only as a response to threats but also as a catalyst for reflection on human existence and the nature of reality.
The Bronze Horseman: The Bronze Horseman is a famous equestrian statue of Peter the Great in Saint Petersburg, Russia, created by the sculptor Etienne Maurice Falconet. The statue symbolizes Peter's monumental role in modernizing Russia and establishing it as a major European power. It also evokes themes of the sublime, representing the interplay between human ambition and the vastness of nature, particularly in the context of Russia's expansive landscape and tumultuous history.
The sublime: The sublime refers to an aesthetic quality that evokes a sense of awe, wonder, and sometimes fear, often in response to vastness, beauty, or grandeur that transcends ordinary experience. This concept is particularly significant in Romantic literature, where nature's overwhelming power and beauty are central themes that provoke deep emotional responses. The sublime encapsulates both the pleasure and terror of experiencing something beyond human comprehension, making it a pivotal aspect of understanding Romantic poetry and prose as well as its cultural implications.
Tintern Abbey: Tintern Abbey is a renowned poem by William Wordsworth, officially titled 'Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey.' It reflects the poet's profound emotional response to the natural landscape and explores themes of memory, nature, and the sublime. The poem connects deeply with Romantic ideals, emphasizing the relationship between the self and nature, and how these experiences shape our understanding of existence.
Transcendentalism: Transcendentalism is a philosophical and literary movement that emerged in the early 19th century, emphasizing the inherent goodness of people and nature, as well as the belief in the individual's intuition and spirituality over established doctrine. This movement connects deeply with Romantic ideals, exploring the relationship between humanity and nature, self-reliance, and the quest for truth beyond empirical observation.
Western Sublime: The Western sublime refers to an aesthetic and philosophical concept that captures intense feelings of awe, grandeur, and terror in nature or art, often provoking a profound emotional response. This idea, prominent in Western thought since the 18th century, emphasizes the relationship between human perception and the overwhelming power of nature or the infinite, highlighting moments that can both inspire admiration and evoke fear.
Yūgen: Yūgen is a Japanese aesthetic concept that refers to a profound awareness of the universe and the beauty that is found in the incomprehensible. It conveys a sense of deep feeling, evoking emotions that are often beyond verbal expression, and it emphasizes the mysterious and subtle aspects of existence. This notion connects to the sublime by highlighting feelings that transcend ordinary experiences, making it significant in understanding how different cultures appreciate beauty and depth in art and literature.