On the Sublime and Schiller’s Theory of Tragedy

Schiller’s account of the sublime is here traced back along two genealogical lines: theories of the sublime from Longinus via Burke to Kant; and the ideal of fortitude shown by neo-Stoic heroes in Baroque drama, which Schiller updated by making it psychologically plausible in the light of eight- eenth-century anthropology. In Schiller’s model, the hero shows sublime strength of character by withstanding not only the undeserved suffering imposed by history, which Schiller now sees as an end- less conflict of natural forces, but also his/her own inner weakness. The close connection between Schiller’s essay and Maria Stuart is explored, and the touch of vindictiveness which Maria shows in her last speech is explained as the natural emotion which distinguishes her from a Baroque martyr.