Introduction

This critical anthology examines the place of the sublime in the cultural history of the late eighteenth century and Romantic period. Traditionally, the sublime has been associated with impressive natural phenomena and has been identified as a narrow aesthetic or philosophical category.

Cultures of the Sublime: Selected Readings, 1750-1830

Recovers a broader context for engagements with, and writing about, the sublime

Offers a selection of texts from a wide range of ostensibly unrelated areas of knowledge which both generate and investigate sublime effects

Considers writings about mountains, money, crowds, the Gothic, the exotic and the human mind

Contextualises and supports the extracts with detailed editorial commentary

Also featuring helpful suggestions for further reading, this is an ideal resource for anyone seeking a fresh, up-to-date assessment of the sublime.