I.--cc. i, ii. The Work of Caecilius. Definition of the Sublime.
Whether Sublimity falls within the rules of Art.
II.--cc. iii-v. [The beginning lost.] Vices of Style opposed to the
Sublime: Affectation, Bombast, False Sentiment, Frigid Conceits.
The cause of such defects.
III.--cc. vi, vii. The true Sublime, what it is, and how
distinguishable.
IV.--cc. viii-xl. Five Sources of the Sublime (how Sublimity is related
to Passion, c. viii, Sec.Sec. 2-4).
(i.) Grandeur of Thought, cc. ix-xv.
_a._ As the natural outcome of nobility of soul. Examples (c. ix).
_b._ Choice of the most striking circumstances. Sappho's Ode (c. x).
_c._ Amplification. Plato compared with Demosthenes, Demosthenes
with Cicero (cc. xi-xiii).
_d._ Imitation (cc. xiii, xiv).
_e._ Imagery (c. xv).
(ii.) Power of moving the Passions (omitted here, because dealt with
in a separate work).
(iii.) Figures of Speech (cc. xvi-xxix).
_a._ The Figure of Adjuration (c. xvi). The Art to conceal Art
(c. xvii).
_b._ Rhetorical Question (c. xviii).
_c._ Asyndeton (c. xix-xxi).
_d._ Hyperbaton (c. xxii).
_e._ Changes of Number, Person, Tense, etc. (cc. xxiii-xxvii).
_f._ Periphrasis (cc. xxviii, xxix).
(iv.) Graceful Expression (cc. xxx-xxxii and xxxvii, xxxviii).
_a._ Choice of Words (c. xxx).
_b._ Ornaments of Style (cc. xxxi, xxxii and xxxvii, xxxviii).
(+a+) On the use of Familiar Words (c. xxxi).
(+b+) Metaphors; accumulated; extract from the
_Timaeus_; abuse of Metaphors; certain tasteless conceits blamed
in Plato (c. xxxii).
[Hence arises a digression (cc. xxxiii-xxxvi) on the spirit
in which we should judge of the faults of great authors.
Demosthenes compared with Hyperides, Lysias with Plato.
Sublimity, however far from faultless, to be always preferred
to a tame correctness.]
(+g+) Comparisons and Similes [lost] (c. xxxvii).
(+d+) Hyperbole (c. xxxviii).
(v.) Dignity and Elevation of Structure (cc. xxxix, xl).
_a._ Modulation of Syllables (c. xxxix).
_b._ Composition (c. xl).
V.--cc. xli-xliii. Vices of Style destructive to Sublimity.
(i.) Abuse of Rhythm }
(ii.) Broken and Jerky Clauses } (cc. xli, xlii).
(iii.) Undue Prolixity }
(iv.) Improper Use of Familiar Words. Anti-climax. Example from
Theopompus (c. xliii).
VI.--Why this age is so barren of great authors--whether the cause is
to be sought in a despotic form of government, or, as Longinus rather
thinks, in the prevailing corruption of manners, and in the sordid and
paltry views of life which almost universally prevail (c. xliv).