Sublime+Case+Study


 * Sublime Case Study:**

Since the dawn of time, man has been awed and astounded by the sheer might and beauty of nature. In 18th century romanticism, nature is the epitome of the sublime. The definition of sublime is something that inspires awe and wonder, or something of great power. This case study of the sublime was aimed at providing different angles on the sublime and how they could have related to Mary Shelley's work and //Frankenstein// in particular.

__**The Grand Canyon:**__

- This picture of the Grand Canyon, taken by Benjamin Zehr in 2004, is a whole story in itself. The sunrise off in the distance is symbolic of the coming of a new day and the continuation of life. The foggy backdrop, portrays a mysterious enigma that is nature itself, unpredictable and powerful. It is this awe of natural mystery that makes this a good example of the sublime. The Grand Canyon is an excellent example of this because of the sheer awe its massive size and picturesque views inspire in the hearts of humanity, who are but tiny specs on the landscape of such a giant whose nooks and crannies hide unknown mysteries yet to be uncovered.

__**Monterey Bay, California:**__

- This picture was taken by Benjamin Zehr on the Seventeen Mile Drive in Monterey Bay, California, in 2008. The ocean has been a powerful symbol of nature's might over the millenia, with its powerful, awesome and fearful stature slowing humanity's exploration by centuries. The sea has been a deciding factor in the history of mankind, whether it be an invasion or an trade endeavor, throughout history the ocean has remained a major obstacle standing in mankind's way and always a source of awe and inspiration. The might of the ocean and the beauty of the coast make it a perfect example of the sublime. media type="file" key="Waterfall.mp3" width="886" height="108" - This selection of music by Enya, titled //Waterfall//, is one that goes well with the ocean and characterizes its movements and motions in musical aspects. It takes repetitive sounds and tunes and turns them into something enchanting such as only the ocean can match. You can almost hear the ocean's waves lick the shore as you listen to this excerpt of magical and sublime music.

__Romantic Period:__

The next two examples are those from the age of Mary Shelley and other romantic poets and authors. They especially represent the land and times that Mary Shelley grew up in. These times in particular had an especially long lasting effect on her work. The topography of the British Isles is rugged and beautiful. The following examples relate to //Frankenstein// in more ways than one. As images from Shelley's home continent, they provide us with insight into what she might have experienced as sublime before moving to the USA and establishing herself as a poet.

__**The British Isles:**__ - This picture is one of the famous Scottish hills. Taken in 2008, it is another brilliant example of the sublime; the foggy hilltops and their mysterious peaks symbolic of life's uncertainties. Also note that the hills get less and less clear the further they are away from this point of view. This is reminiscent of the translucency of life and the fact that the further into the future we see, the tougher it is to predict our path. We may be resting on lush grasses and green pastures at the moment, but life is not all beauty and joy, the rocky mountains of in the distance foreshadow the hardships that must come. Nature is exalted in this picture, seen as a being of marvel and power, which makes it a beautiful example of romanticism and the sublime.

media type="file" key="Braveheart Theme.mp3" width="880" height="116"

- This sample of music, taken from the movie //Braveheart// and also recorded by Enya, is a very nice example of sublime music. I feel that this piece of music fits very well with the above picture of Scotland, given the inclusion of bagpipes, which the Scots are best known for. While listening to this clip, picture yourself on top of a mountain, surrounded by pristine hills covered in mists, with a clear, sunny sky overhead. This is the climax of the music. Off in the distance you see clouds approaching, growing darker and darker as they near you. This is the final stretch of bagpipes. When the rain finally breaks with clashes of thunder the song ends. The blissful and somewhat sad tune this song delivers is a nice touch because it makes the listener experience emotions not felt everyday. Emotions of peace and bliss along with those of loss and longing for nature and all its beauty, are what make this music sublime.



- Although not a very natural representation of the sublime, this picture of a castle in Ireland, taken by Benjamin Zehr on the outskirts Dublin, Ireland, 2000, is also one that shows the power of nature. This castle, once a high and magnificent one, nigh impenetrable, could not stand up to the forces of nature. Today, it is but a shadow of its former self, taken down by the relentless forces around it. The slow, but steady forces of nature can be seen in the form of the vines that creep along this castle's walls. It is also worthy of note that these structures, made from nature, will return to nature eventually. It is unavoidable. This also is another contributor to the respect felt towards the might of nature. This comparison between human and natural powers is the very base of man's fear and respect for the sheer strength that nature can exert. The destruction of human creation by nature is also portrayed in the poem //Ozymandias// that we have discussed in class this quarter. Just as the pharaoh's statue could not stand the test of time and nature's gradual but consistent might, so can no human creation do so. Therefore this picture fits well into the category of the sublime.

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