Murder, Considered as One of the Fine Arts

Name: Murder, Considered as One of the Fine Arts
Author: Thomas de Quincey

Murder, Considered as One of the Fine Arts is a collection of essays by Thomas de Quincey, first published in 1827. The essays explore the aesthetics of murder, and the ways in which it has been represented in literature and art. De Quincey examines the works of famous murderers, such as the Marquis de Sade and the Marquise de Brinvilliers, and discusses the ways in which they have been portrayed in literature and art. He also examines the psychology of murder, and the ways in which it has been used as a tool of political power. The essays are written in a humorous and ironic tone, and provide an interesting insight into the mind of a murderer.

By Thomas de Quincey · First published 1827 · Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Philosophical Fiction · 2 chapters · 15,299 words

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GENTLEMEN,--I have had the honor to be appointed by your committee to the trying task of reading the Williams' Lecture on Murder, considered as one of the Fine Arts; a task which might be easy enough three or four centuries ago, when the art was little understood, and few great models had been exhibited; but in this age, when masterpieces of excellence have been executed by professional men, it must be evident, that in the style of criticism applied to them, the public will look for something of a corresponding improvement. Practice and theory must advance _pari passu_. People begin to see that something more goes to the composition of a fine murder than two blockheads to kill and be killed--a knife--a purse--and a dark lane. Design, gentlemen, grouping, light and shade, poetry, sentiment, are now deemed indispensable to attempts of this nature. Mr. Williams has exalted the ideal of murder to all of us; and to me, therefore, in particular, has deepened the arduousness of my task. Like Æschylus or Milton in poetry, like Michael Angelo in painting, he has carried his art to a point of colossal sublimity; and, as Mr. Wordsworth observes, has in a manner "created the taste by which he is to be enjoyed." To sketch the history of the art, and to examine its principles critically, now remains as a duty for the connoisseur, and for judges of quite another stamp from his Majesty's Judges of Assize.

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Murder, Considered as One of the Fine Arts is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas de Quincey, dated 1827 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Thomas de Quincey
Date: 1827 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Satire
Length: 15,299 words
Structure: 2 chapters, 88 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Genres

Mystery — The title of the book implies that the plot will revolve around a murder, making this the most relevant genre.
Crime Fiction — The book is likely to explore the criminal justice system, making this genre relevant.
Philosophical Fiction — The book is likely to explore philosophical themes, making this genre relevant.
Satire — The title of the book implies that the author may be satirizing the concept of murder, making this genre relevant.