The Sublime and Gothic Literature
The concept of il sublime letteratura inglese emerged as a powerful force in 18th and 19th century literature, profoundly influencing the Romantic movement and the development of the romanzo gotico genre. This page explores the philosophical foundations of the sublime and its literary manifestations.
Definition: The sublime is a state of mind evoked by natural phenomena that inspire both terror and fascination, often surpassing the limits of human reason.
Two key philosophers shaped the understanding of the sublime:
- Immanuel Kant: Believed the sublime originates from the conflict between reason and sensibility.
- Edmund Burke: Viewed beauty and the sublime as opposites that produce similar effects on the human psyche.
Highlight: The sublime is inherently subjective, with each individual perceiving it differently. It fundamentally stems from human respect and admiration for nature's overwhelming power.
The Gothic Novel emerged in the late 18th century, heavily influenced by the concept of the sublime. Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto" is considered the first romanzo gotico, establishing many of the genre's key features:
- Nighttime settings to enhance the atmosphere of mystery
- Ancient, isolated locations like castles or churches
- Themes of terror and horror
- Complex, multi-layered narratives
- Heroic protagonists facing supernatural or irrational forces
Example: A typical gothic setting might include a crumbling medieval castle perched on a cliff, shrouded in mist and echoing with unexplained noises.
The Gothic revival aligned with the Romantic spirit's rejection of pure reason, instead emphasizing sensibility and emotion as ways to understand reality.
