Author: Clark, Alistair
Title: The Pro Caelio: Cicero’s Dramatic Tapestry
Review/Collection: Classicum, Vol 35(2)
Year edition: 2009
Pages: 9-14
Keywords: Éloquence - Eloquenza - Eloquence, Rhétorique - Retorica - Rhetorics
Description: Cicero's 'Pro Caelio' can be distinguished1 from his other forensic speeches because of its overtly theatrical style. Cicero effectively employs a number of dramatic techniques to serve his purpose to render his audience 'attenti' and 'benivoli'. As Austin notes in his commentary to the text, 'the three traditional functions of the orator were 'docere', 'delectare', 'movere''. Cicero's speech is especially concerned with the third of these, the 'grand style'. Notably, Cicero's ability to characterise his client, the prosecution and himself differentiates the 'Pro Caelio' from other orations and marks his ability as one of Rome's finest orators. This essay will examine how Cicero's overtly theatrical style is largely advantageous to his case and how he cleverly weaves mythology and 'fabulae' into his dramatic tapestry. [Author]
Works:
Author initials: Clark 2009
Title: The Pro Caelio: Cicero’s Dramatic Tapestry
Review/Collection: Classicum, Vol 35(2)
Year edition: 2009
Pages: 9-14
Keywords: Éloquence - Eloquenza - Eloquence, Rhétorique - Retorica - Rhetorics
Description: Cicero's 'Pro Caelio' can be distinguished1 from his other forensic speeches because of its overtly theatrical style. Cicero effectively employs a number of dramatic techniques to serve his purpose to render his audience 'attenti' and 'benivoli'. As Austin notes in his commentary to the text, 'the three traditional functions of the orator were 'docere', 'delectare', 'movere''. Cicero's speech is especially concerned with the third of these, the 'grand style'. Notably, Cicero's ability to characterise his client, the prosecution and himself differentiates the 'Pro Caelio' from other orations and marks his ability as one of Rome's finest orators. This essay will examine how Cicero's overtly theatrical style is largely advantageous to his case and how he cleverly weaves mythology and 'fabulae' into his dramatic tapestry. [Author]
Works:
Author initials: Clark 2009
