Critical Theory: Horace and Longinus

Didimus Estanto T. #186332017

Horace and Longinus are two figures being discussed in the antiquity theory. Their theories are the
other advancement of the literary criticism in the classical period of time. If it is arranged based on
the time period, Horace would come before the Longinus, so that the description in this paper.
The notable work from Horace is Ars Poetica which concerns particularly on the rhetorical strategy
on the work of literature. He provides the strategies to persuade readers/ audience by the means
of rhetoric in a way to produce a grandeur piece of art. One step further, Longinus also known as
Casius Longinus or Dionysius Longinus presents the further function of art. Before him, the critics
believed that function of poetry was to instruct or to delight or both and if it is prose, its function
was to persuade also. Longinus states that the aim of a great work of art is to transport the reader
out of himself/herself. His focus is on examining the effect of the great writing that is stated on his
only work On Sublimity. On this writing, Longinus provides five sources of a sublime writing, which
are greatness of thoughts, strong and inspired emotions, figures, dictions and words arrangement.
The first two sources of the sublimity Longinus said is an innate factor, the factor from the
greatness of the author. Then the last three factors are based on the poetic skill of the writer that
is from the process of acquisition the skills.

Reading Horace and Longinus cannot be separated from the previous critics, Plato and Aristotle.
Horace and Longinus are different with Plato’s commentary on how poetry gives effect to society
and the inspiration comes from. Both these critics consider poetry/art as the valuable means
which is worth considering, although each critic stands for different focus. By contrast to Plato,
these two critics are closely related to Aristotle’s concept of art which accepts the valuable
function of art in the society. The distinction is that when Aristotle stops at defining the good
tragic and character, focusing on the psychological effect on the audience/reader, first Horace
examines more on the rhetoric strategies which build a grandeur poetry/art and second Longinus
underlines the effect of the grandeur writing and concerning the psychological element on both
author/ orator and reader/audience.

Dealing with Horace and Longinus lead to a question of the today’s treatment to the literary work
on how readers and critics also perceive the literary works. It is said previously that these critics
are the improvement of the previous critics. This indicates the literary criticism that always
changes through times responding to the need and interest. The function of poetry/art is no
longer only persuade or even transport the emotion but there many use of art/literature
nowadays, such as political weapon, means to control people, innate personal/ group interest and
many others. However, in those times of the changes, literary criticism exists to again redefining
and explaining the changes, so that the use of literature can always be for the good for
society/human.