On the Sublime
On the Sublime is the Greek treatise on literary greatness attributed to Longinus, translated here by H. L. Havell in 1890 with an introduction by Andrew Lang. Writing to a Roman friend, the author asks what gives certain passages the power to lift a reader out of himself, and finds five sources: great thoughts, strong emotion, figures of speech, noble diction and dignified arrangement. He illustrates them with Homer, Demosthenes, Plato, a poem of Sappho that survives only because he quoted it, and the opening of Genesis, and warns against bombast and frigidity. A closing chapter wonders why his own age produced so little of the quality he describes. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about On the Sublime
On the Sublime by Longinus can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read On the Sublime online?
Yes. On the Sublime opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is On the Sublime free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of On the Sublime is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is On the Sublime in the public domain?
Yes. On the Sublime by Longinus is a public-domain work, here in the translation by H. L. Havell. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read On the Sublime?
About 2 h of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is On the Sublime?
On the Sublime by Longinus is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
