Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria

Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria Quintilian focuses on presenting the beginnings of rhetorical art, its components, how it is expressed and formed. Rhetoric is an art, though it serves a practical, useful function. Nature gave birth to speech, while observa...

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Main Author: Stanisław Śnieżewski
Format: Article
Language:deu
Published: Ksiegarnia Akademicka Publishing 2013-11-01
Series:Classica Cracoviensia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.akademicka.pl/cc/article/view/1791
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author Stanisław Śnieżewski
author_facet Stanisław Śnieżewski
author_sort Stanisław Śnieżewski
collection DOAJ
description Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria Quintilian focuses on presenting the beginnings of rhetorical art, its components, how it is expressed and formed. Rhetoric is an art, though it serves a practical, useful function. Nature gave birth to speech, while observation created the art of speech. Every speech is built out of that which is signified (quae significantur) and that which signifies (quae significant), that is, out of res and verba. The ability to speak is perfected by nature, art and practice, though some authors add imitation as well, whereas Quintilian believes imitation to be a part of ars. The most important question discussed by Quintilian is status, i.e. the basis or foundation, the point of contention in a judiciary dispute. Some call it constitutio, others quaestio, still others quod ex quaestione appareat, while Theodorus of Gadara names it caput, that is kefalaion genikotaton. The Greeks use the term stasis and claim this name was not invented by Hermagoras, but by Naucrates, student of Isocrates, or by Zopyros of Clazomenae. This is the moment when the first clash between the two parties takes place or because it forms the basis of the whole case. However, there does not exist any agreement between the authors on the number and definitions of the term status, nor on the difference between status generales and speciales. In every kind of case there is a cause (causa), the crux of the matter (iudicatio) and the main argument (continens). Insistent begging (rogare), foretelling (iudicare), argumentation (rationem reddere) exist in judiciary, advisory and epideictic speeches. Hermagoras`s opinion that we should consider the subject of the case (quaestio), line of defense (ratio), crux of the matter (iudicatio), the main argument (continens) or, as others call it, the main point of their accusation or defense (firmamentum). There exists a common consensus that quaestio originates from another quaestio and that species can be divided into other species. Quaestio principalis (fundamental) is called zetema. Ratio is a method of defense in a situation when the deed was committed. Quintilian uses a widely known example provided by his predecessors; Orestes killed his mother, he admits it and claims that what he did was right. What counts the most is the authority of the speaker. The orator should possess knowledge and extraordinary virtues of character.
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spelling doaj.art-f133afc596d3451482d174b5f66aa8ba2022-12-22T00:40:06ZdeuKsiegarnia Akademicka PublishingClassica Cracoviensia1505-89132391-67532013-11-011610.12797/CC.16.2013.16.09Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoriaStanisław Śnieżewski0Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria Quintilian focuses on presenting the beginnings of rhetorical art, its components, how it is expressed and formed. Rhetoric is an art, though it serves a practical, useful function. Nature gave birth to speech, while observation created the art of speech. Every speech is built out of that which is signified (quae significantur) and that which signifies (quae significant), that is, out of res and verba. The ability to speak is perfected by nature, art and practice, though some authors add imitation as well, whereas Quintilian believes imitation to be a part of ars. The most important question discussed by Quintilian is status, i.e. the basis or foundation, the point of contention in a judiciary dispute. Some call it constitutio, others quaestio, still others quod ex quaestione appareat, while Theodorus of Gadara names it caput, that is kefalaion genikotaton. The Greeks use the term stasis and claim this name was not invented by Hermagoras, but by Naucrates, student of Isocrates, or by Zopyros of Clazomenae. This is the moment when the first clash between the two parties takes place or because it forms the basis of the whole case. However, there does not exist any agreement between the authors on the number and definitions of the term status, nor on the difference between status generales and speciales. In every kind of case there is a cause (causa), the crux of the matter (iudicatio) and the main argument (continens). Insistent begging (rogare), foretelling (iudicare), argumentation (rationem reddere) exist in judiciary, advisory and epideictic speeches. Hermagoras`s opinion that we should consider the subject of the case (quaestio), line of defense (ratio), crux of the matter (iudicatio), the main argument (continens) or, as others call it, the main point of their accusation or defense (firmamentum). There exists a common consensus that quaestio originates from another quaestio and that species can be divided into other species. Quaestio principalis (fundamental) is called zetema. Ratio is a method of defense in a situation when the deed was committed. Quintilian uses a widely known example provided by his predecessors; Orestes killed his mother, he admits it and claims that what he did was right. What counts the most is the authority of the speaker. The orator should possess knowledge and extraordinary virtues of character. https://journals.akademicka.pl/cc/article/view/1791the origins of rhetoricnatureobservationinveniredisponereeloqui
spellingShingle Stanisław Śnieżewski
Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria
Classica Cracoviensia
the origins of rhetoric
nature
observation
invenire
disponere
eloqui
title Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria
title_full Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria
title_fullStr Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria
title_full_unstemmed Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria
title_short Rhetorical theory in the third book of Quintilian’s Institutio oratoria
title_sort rhetorical theory in the third book of quintilian s institutio oratoria
topic the origins of rhetoric
nature
observation
invenire
disponere
eloqui
url https://journals.akademicka.pl/cc/article/view/1791
work_keys_str_mv AT stanisławsniezewski rhetoricaltheoryinthethirdbookofquintiliansinstitutiooratoria