The Influence of Longinus on 18th Century Criticism.

The Influence of Longinus on 18th Century Criticism.

In An Essay of Dramatic Poesy by John Dryden he talks about William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson.

Shakespeare had the largest and most comprehensive soul. All of the images of nature were still present to him and as readers we are able to more than see it, we feel it too. He learned things naturally, and did not need books specifically. Shakespeare is sometimes flat and dull but generally is always great. Shakespeare did not always observe the laws of Comedy. Some are preferred over Shakespeare now, but during the time in which he produced most of his works, no one ever equaled them in their esteem, and Shakespeare was still deemed far more superior in Ben Jonson’s time as well. Shakespeare’s language is a little out of date.

Ben Jonson learned the dramatic laws and showed his knowledge in The Silent Woman. His plots were generally more regular than Shakespeare’s. Ben Jonson lacks in wit and was thrifty with it. He was a very learned and sensible writer. He was his own harshest critic. In all of his work there isn’t anything that you really want to change. You don’t find his characters engaging in inappropriate acts on the stage, his genius was too gloomy and saturnine to do it gracefully. He takes ideas from other authors, both Greek and Latin, those that he has studied through and through and is successful in doing it.

Jonson is the more correct poet, but Shakespeare the greater wit. Being correct doesn’t always serve as the favorite. Longinus says in Chapter one that language is not about the persuasion but about the method of delivery. It’s not always about being correct, but how you affect the audience/reader with those words.

In Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism,

Things are learned by human nature, sometimes there are things of importance that can not be taught, but you must learn from experience. Ancients can set rules on how to write, but rules are rules, and they are always intended to be challenged. Deviation from common is bold.

“Great wits (Shakespeare?) sometimes may gloriously offend,/ and rise to faults true critics dare not mend:” Greatness can affect our heart, emotions, and eyes. Greatness is sometimes only achieved through deviating from the rules. You can be harshly judged by those with reputable reputations, so beware. They can snag away your fame without remorse.

“To teach vain wits (writers) a science little known, / T’ admire superior sense, and doubt their own!”

There are five principle sources of prominent language which Longinus tells us about in Chapter 8. Under this is the gift of nature, which is crucial. First is the power of forming great conceptions, second the intense and inspired passion and the rest is a product of art. Thirdly there are two figures, the first to do with thought, and the second to deal with expression. And fourth there is noble diction, words, metaphors, and elaborate language. Fifth dignified and elevated composition is also key. It is important that sublimity and passion belong together. “I would confirm with confidence that there is no tone so lofty as that of genuine passion, in its right place, when it bursts out in a wild gust of mad enthusiasm and as it were fills the speaker’s words with frenzy”.

Additional Selections from the Preface to Shakespeare

“Addison speaks the language of poets and Shakespeare of men”.

Othello is written by Shakespeare and is the energetic and lively offspring of observation saturated by genius. Unlike Shakespeare Cato doesn’t invoke your feelings, making you fell moved, although he has great diction, which is smart and smooth, but seems a little lethargic.

“Shakespeare is a forest,” there are a lot of wonderful things in a forest, predictable and unpredictable. He is observed as a whole and is not judged on a single part of his works. There are parts that are a little dull “with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelter to myrtles and to roses,” but over all it gratifies “the mind with endless diversity”. Other poets are plain, predictable, and boring with all of their “polished” works.

“It may be observed that the oldest poets of many nations preserve their reputation” and I think this means that they are not taking any risks. “Their descriptions are verified by every eye,” meaning that the story is too obvious and there isn’t any depth to it.

Shakespeare has learned naturally, not by sitting in front of a classroom all day. There is a right of passion, when someone is passionate about something, they dedicate all of their time to it.