The Sublime

by Philip Shaw

Often labelled as ‘indescribable’, the sublime is a term that has been debated for centuries amongst writers, artists, philosophers and theorists. Usually related to ideas of the great, the awe-inspiring and the overpowering, the sublime has become a complex yet crucial concept in many disciplines. Offering historical overviews and explanations, Philip Shaw looks at: This remarkably clear study of what is, in essence, a term which evades definition, is essential reading for students of literature, critical and cultural theory.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Art

184 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2005

Reviews

[Nada Elshabrawy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear and well-organized and well-written guide for readers of the theory of the sublime, in classical texts up until Žižek.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction (if you ignore the definition of Hegel's dialectic in the glossary)

[David Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working in the arts I thought I'd brush up on my subject and such. This book is written in a digestible form with good explanations on difficult theorists and philosophies surrounding the sublime. Explaining why people like Lyotard, Derrida and Zizek are interested in the sublime, which does afterwards strike you as being quite clearly linked.

However, at times difficult issues aren't explained well and it seems to me badly written in parts, as I am not a complete beginner I was able to decipher what he was saying and some are still very tenuously linked. But I wouldn't let that put you off, if you have any interest in the sublime whether artistically or philosophically.

It does go to explain a further link in the dissolution of the Cartesian dualism, which is a pet interest of mine and I'm glad it did, as I found that very rewarding. It also got me to re-address Shelley's 'Frankenstein', which I detested, but after reading this I found there may actually be a reason why she included page after page describing plants, and flowers, and rocks, and nature, and trees, and ...

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a concise, readable analysis of the progression of different theories of the sublime, from Longinus to postmodernists. I like how, in explanation of Immanuel Kant's theory, Shaw says that Rick's love for Ilsa in Casablanca is beautiful, while his giving her up for a greater cause is sublime--now that's a language I can understand! I also enjoyed his interpretation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as a condemnation of the masculine exclusivity of the sublime. Shaw does a good job picking apart the incongruities of Burke's treatise, "A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful." Points off only for not covering the Sublime's application to art and architectural design, but I guess that's beyond the scope.

[shems · Rating 3 out of 5]

(for research)

could’ve been more succinct but alright enough!

[Jay Rothermel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful 5-star overview of the topic in pages 1-202.

From page 202, "thinkers" from 1945 onward misuse the Sublime for their own obscurantist purposes, as they and their inheritors still do today.

(The back-to-Kant retreat of petty-bourgeois intellectuals in the face of imperialist wars and concomitant antilabor and anticommunist crusades after 1939 is central to this state of affairs.)

The chapters on Longinus and Burke and those they influenced are clear and thorough.

[Katrinka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and helpful overview of the subject!

[Helena Eflerova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sublime is a product by nature rather than art. Individual reacts to sublime instinctively ones does not learn sublime. It is beyond definition and we can't pin point it down.

The thunderbolt of sublimity can emerge from a single phrase and far beyond an image could turn the individuals imagination.

[Literati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read and digest, this book serves as a great starting point for anyone wanting to delve into the Sublime. The account offers fair and balanced presentation of some of the main threads of the sublime but could have offered more from 20th-21st Century philosophy toward the end. A great intro nonetheless.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books sets out to give the literary/philosophical history of an idea, and it does it well. Some extra time spent with the last three chapters would've been appreciated, but it's not a big problem. This book is a good introduction to the idea, and a great guide to further reading.

[pearl]

I JUST read about the sublime vs the beautiful in my music lit class and now I see this on my goodreads updates. It's a sign!