history of rhetorical theory

Which rhetorical theorist is best known for adapting aspects of classical and Roman rhetoric to a new Christian understanding of the truth?

Augustine

The greatest teacher of rhetoric in Rome was

Quintillian

Which rhetorical theorist claimed to have “converted from rhetoric to Christianity” during the middle ages?

Augustine

A system of critical thinking that involved asking questions about “stopping points,” such as questions of fact, questions of definition, and questions of policy. Used to argue cases in court.

Stasis system

Whose writings on rhetoric influenced both Augustine in Western Europe and the early Christians of the Byzantine Empire?

Plato

According to class discussion, what was the primary domain of rhetoric in Medieval Europe?

The church

Name the famous Roman rhetorician who developed the ideal of complete orator )perfectus orator); one who would unite wisdom with eloquence.

Cicero

What were the three rhetorical arts that characterized the middle and later portions of the middle ages?

Artes Dictaminis (Letter writing), Artes Praedicandi (Preaching), Artes Poetriae (Verse-writing and poetry)

Which Renaissance figure advised leaders to provide drama, excitement, and escape for the people they rule?

Machiavelli

Name at least two characteristics of rhetoric during the renaissance.

Shift in focus, rebirth

What role did rhetoric play in education in Ancient Rome?

Helped achieve success in politics, means of conducting political debates, studying helped develop verbal skills that marked an educated and refined person.

What role did rhetoric play regarding power in ancient rome?

Roman Republic and the Roman Empire were the 2 political structures. Senate was the most important and powerful branch of government, with 300 members and the positions held for life.

What is eloquence? Why was it sought after in Rome?

The skill with spoken word. It was the key to social and political success

Who was Cicero?

Greatest orator and rhetorical theorist in Rome. Brilliant lawyer and political force. Basis for how rhetoric was taught for over 1900 years.

What are the canons of rhetoric?

Invention, Arrangement, Expression, Memory, Delivery

What is stasis?

Stopping the debate if it feels like it is not going anywhere, like being in a stasis.
Ask 4 questions:
Issue of Fact
Issue of Quality
Issue of Definition
Issue of Procedure

De Inventione

Written by Cicero and argued that rhetoric and public speaking must be joined with moral wisdom and civic duty. Outlines the 5 canons of rhetoric, and is a practice manual for legal and political arguments

Rhetorica ad Herennium

By an unknown author and was falsely attributed to Cicero. (Inserctus). Created the foundation for public speaking, style, and pneunomics

Institutes of Oratory

Written by Quintillian, inspired by Cicero.

On the Sublime

Written by Longingus, Addressed to Posthumius Terentianus

Complete Orator

An orator who speaks fluently and has a grasp of the subject they are presenting.

The Sublime

a lofty, awe-inspiring height of language and thought that forcefully transports listeners or readers outside of themselves

What institution had the most power in Western Europe in the Middle Ages?

The Christian Church

Why did Europeans distrust rhetoric in the Middle Ages?

Pagan history and deceit

Who was St. Augustine?

Born in N. Africa

 Mother Christian, father

pagan

 Studied in Carthage

 Professor of Rhetoric in

Milan for 10 years

 Converted “from

rhetoric” to Christianity

What is the preacher’s dilemma?

the ongoing challenge pastors face in accurately discovering and communicating the original intent of a biblical text rather than relying on personal assumptions, clichés, or performance pressure.

What were the three rhetorical arts that were practiced in the 12th and 13th

centuries?

preaching (ars praedicandi), letter writing (ars dictaminis), and poetry/prescriptive grammar (ars poetriae).

Be able to describe or recognize the nature of this historical time and place. of medieval rome

5th-15th centuries, rhetoric was adapted to the

needs of Christian Europe

 Education system changed

 Wars, sacking destroyed libraries

 Few could read and write

 Classical rhetoric and other subjects were not as

widely taught in Western Europe

How did the Byzantine Empire differ from Western Europe?

Byzantine Empire: Church and Politics were combined, criticism and religious rhetoric were practiced
Western Europe: Church and Personal rhetorical domain, poetry and letter writing were taught

Who influnced St. Augustine’s rhetorical theory?

Cicero

Which rhetorical theorists inspired people during the Renaissance?

Quintillian and Cicero

Characterize the Renaissance in Europe.