Question

Explain Burke's theory of the sublime.

The sublime inspired many artists and thinkers of the Romantic era. Which two or three landmarks from the chapter most embody this theme?  

Answer 1

Burke’s theory of sublime

Sublime, in aesthetics is referred to as the greatness quality that a person has. This may either be in the form of moral, intellectual or physical greatness. This may also be spiritual, or artistic.

Edmund Burke had developed his concept describing sublimity. Burke had become the first philosopher who had argues that beauty as well as sublimity are two phenomenon that are mutually exclusive. As the relationship between sublimity as well as beauty is elaborated, it could be understood that both would be providing pleasure to the person.

This theory of antithetical as compared to the classical theory that had been put put forward. According to him, beauty is a quality that in itself is pleasurable. He had laid emphasis on ugliness and how it is important. Since, ugliness would be lacking any attributive value of itself, it ould be formless due to any of the absence of beauty.

Also, Burke focuses on the physiological effects that sublimity puts forward. Sensations that are associated to sublimity are in the form of negative pain. Which is different from posivit pleasure