I have also to acknowledge the kindness of the distinguished writer who
has contributed the Introduction, and who, in spite of the heavy demands
on his time, has lent his powerful support to help on the work of one
who was personally unknown to him.
In conclusion, I may be allowed to express a hope that the present
attempt may contribute something to reawaken an interest in an unjustly
neglected classic.
ANALYSIS
The Treatise on the Sublime may be divided into six Parts, as follows:--
I.--cc. i, ii. The Work of Caecilius. Definition of the Sublime.
Whether Sublimity falls within the rules of Art.
II.--cc. iii-v. [The beginning lost.] Vices of Style opposed to the
Sublime: Affectation, Bombast, False Sentiment, Frigid Conceits.
The cause of such defects.
III.--cc. vi, vii. The true Sublime, what it is, and how
distinguishable.
IV.--cc. viii-xl. Five Sources of the Sublime (how Sublimity is related
to Passion, c. viii, §§ 2-4).
(i.) Grandeur of Thought, cc. ix-xv.
_a._ As the natural outcome of nobility of soul. Examples (c. ix).
_b._ Choice of the most striking circumstances. Sappho’s Ode (c. x).
_c._ Amplification. Plato compared with Demosthenes, Demosthenes
with Cicero (cc. xi-xiii).
_d._ Imitation (cc. xiii, xiv).
_e._ Imagery (c. xv).
(ii.) Power of moving the Passions (omitted here, because dealt with
in a separate work).
(iii.) Figures of Speech (cc. xvi-xxix).
_a._ The Figure of Adjuration (c. xvi). The Art to conceal Art
(c. xvii).
_b._ Rhetorical Question (c. xviii).
_c._ Asyndeton (c. xix-xxi).
_d._ Hyperbaton (c. xxii).
_e._ Changes of Number, Person, Tense, etc. (cc. xxiii-xxvii).
_f._ Periphrasis (cc. xxviii, xxix).
(iv.) Graceful Expression (cc. xxx-xxxii and xxxvii, xxxviii).
_a._ Choice of Words (c. xxx).
_b._ Ornaments of Style (cc. xxxi, xxxii and xxxvii, xxxviii).
(α) On the use of Familiar Words (c. xxxi).
(β) Metaphors; accumulated; extract from the _Timaeus_; abuse
of Metaphors; certain tasteless conceits blamed in Plato
(c. xxxii).
[Hence arises a digression (cc. xxxiii-xxxvi) on the spirit
in which we should judge of the faults of great authors.
Demosthenes compared with Hyperides, Lysias with Plato.
Sublimity, however far from faultless, to be always preferred
to a tame correctness.]
(γ) Comparisons and Similes [lost] (c. xxxvii).
(δ) Hyperbole (c. xxxviii).
(v.) Dignity and Elevation of Structure (cc. xxxix, xl).
_a._ Modulation of Syllables (c. xxxix).
_b._ Composition (c. xl).
V.--cc. xli-xliii. Vices of Style destructive to Sublimity.
(i.) Abuse of Rhythm }
(ii.) Broken and Jerky Clauses } (cc. xli, xlii).
(iii.) Undue Prolixity }
(iv.) Improper Use of Familiar Words. Anti-climax. Example from
Theopompus (c. xliii).
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