Revisiting Thomas De Quincey's Aesthetics of Murder: Irony and Sensation in the Periodical Press.

The article examines Thomas De Quincey’s complex and ironic engagement with the aesthetics of murder, particularly through his essays collectively known as the "On Murder" series. It highlights how De Quincey parodies and critiques Immanuel Kant’s aesthetic absolutism and Aristotle’s theory of tragedy, using murder as a subject to explore the tension between aesthetic contemplation and moral judgment. The analysis situates De Quincey’s work within the context of early nineteenth-century periodical culture, emphasizing his dual role as both a contributor to and a critic of sensationalist magazine journalism, where he balances commercial appeal with classical literary allusions and self-reflexive irony. The article also discusses De Quincey’s psychological approach to literary criticism, his autobiographical narrative style, and his concerns about the ephemeral nature of periodical literature undermining enduring artistic and moral values.