Class notes on Cicero (Rhetoric)

(Originally written January 18, 2007 in Book 12)

Class notes

The main purpose of rhetoric is to discuss matters of citizenship - Rhetorica ad Herennium

Rhetorica ad Herennium is the first defining of the canon of Rhetoric: invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. (The first text still extant)

Means to acquiring rhetorical canon:
1) Theory
2) Imitation
3) Practice

Cicero: Stasis Theory

I. Fact
II. Definition
   A. Nature or character of act
III. Qualitative
  A. Absolute
  B. Assumptive
      1. Confession and avoidance
          a. Purgation (when deed is acknowledged)
          b. But not intent
              i. Ignorance
              ii. Accident
              iii. Necessity
          c. Deprecation - when intent is acknowledged but pardon is sought
       2. Shifting the charge - magnify the culpability of the person, blame is shifted
           a. Whose fault?
           b. Good Will of Defendant
       3. Retort
           a. justified in doing it.
           b. transfer
       4. Comparison
           a. separate the crime from the act
           b. use of topics: intent, time, reason and magnitude
IV. Translative

Cicero is the first to pen rhetoric as argument. (All rhetoric is argument).

Cicero used argument much more broadly than the Greeks.

The orator ought to effect:
1) Instruct the listener
2) Give the listener pleasure
3) Stir the emotions of the listener

Three kinds of style:
1) Dignified
2) Middle
3) Plain