Name:
Course:
Institution:
Date:
Classical Rhetoric
Introduction
It is well documented that, scholars have a steady debate regarding rhetoric since prehistoric times. Rhetorical studies diverse fields than include social sciences, religion, fine art, journalism, history, digital media, architecture, fiction and tradition domains of law and politics. For the past years, individuals studying rhetorical have enlarged its subject beyond speech texts. Many have benefited in terms of employment and intellectual. This is well documented in Augustine life who studied Rhetorical at Carthage; and this gained him employment to teach in Cartage, Rome and Milan. Additionally, Quintilian was a Roman rhetorician born at Calahorra in Spain. Both Quintilian and Augustine have been referred to be institutionalized. Quintilian main task was to develop an education system that would train Roman Empire. Consequently, Augustine lived his life imitating Christ; and this enabled him to spread Christian faith to the point that, Christianity spread throughout European world. In this regard, this paper seeks to study Augustine and Quintilian as theorists and practitioner of rhetoric.
In essence, it is vital considering that, rhetorical theory that governed from Isocrates to Cicero that taught about morals and practice. Based on philosophy, Isocrates described philosophy to be the study of being a reasonable citizen. With this regard, he argued that, the test for all virtue lies in men approval. This implied that, a human trained in rhetorical was trained in truth; and this was the custom of Isocrates runs silently within intellectual history. In response to this, Augustine and Quintilian have responded differently in regards to this rhetorical theory as discussed below.
Quintilian response towards rhetorical theory of Isocrates
From Quintilian points of view, there have been many definitions towards rhetorical theory. For the past years, every sinful man is outlined to be an orator while others have referred the right to be the orator. On the other hand, some have defined rhetorical theory to be power, science but not a practice or else virtue. Quintilian believed that, ethics is what formed the valuable part of philosophy along with ethical teaching ought to conquer with the hands of tradition rhetoricians. Throughout his discussions, he majors his discussion on practical and applicable aspects instead of theoretical point of view. Unlike other theorists, he fails to see the figurative language as a threat to stability of rhetorical.
Based on Quintilian’s perspective, the most pregnant point about orator is not about the act rather the motive. For instance, he points out that, an evil man cannot be an orator in that, the orator’s objective is to carry assurance and trust is only given to the individual is worth to be trusted.
Augustine response towards rhetorical theory of Isocrates
It is borne in mind that, the middle age of (400-1400 AD) has viewed to be the study of rhetorical as an arrangement on styles and arrangements. Medieval rhetorical is debasing to pagan art that contrast with Christianity. This truth was enough to persuade Augustine to the point that, he converted to Christianity. In this regard, he regards rhetorical theory as the doctrine to teach Christians. This is because; rhetorical is fundamental towards proclamation of Christian message.
On the contrary, Augustine changes his perception on the long tradition of rhetorical theory in the sense that, one does not need to be wise or good to acquire virtues of life. Additionally, the concept of culture is not significant in the sense of eloquence since, words are not what convey truth; insight does that. This implies that, words just aid but insights is what determine the motive. Augustine elevated the aspect of self-reflection to be what perceive the soul of truth rather he projects that, perversion of truth is attributed by communication with God through prayers.
How Quintilian’s declamations reflect his rhetorical theories?
Two sets of declamations reflect Quintilian’s rhetoric theory that includes minors and Declamations majors. With this regard, the two declamations are composed with three aspects of theoretical, practical and educational. For instance, from the first century of BC to Quintilian’s time, there have been flowering of roman rhetoric. Therefore, we can base our argument on the fact that, Quintilian may have influenced the roman rhetorical theory in Roman since his work was linked to power of persuasions through speaking (Loeb 305).
His passion for education may have reflected his argument on rhetorical theory in that; he bases his argument on how education can have an impact on the individual behavior. For instance, he points out that, just like the way people discovers the art of medicine through observing what is healthy; so is the aspect of an individual to teach what he knows. Additionally, this is reflected on how he base his argument that, ethics forms the valuable part of philosophy and for this fact, he emphasizes that, ethics teaching should be mostly used by rhetoricians.
How St. Augustine’s sermon on John 1:1-5 reflect both his theory of Christianity
In essence, St Augustine’s sermon on John 1: 1-5 is credible. The sermon has attributed St Augustine theory of Christianity by evaluating this was appointed from eternity and before creation. Christianity was the artisan by God’s side. In conjunction with this, he outlines that, there is only one God in Christianity, whom all things come and live. He has projected that; Jesus Christ is the mediator for Christians particularly during intercession. God granted Jesus Christ to the World so that light would come in the world. This was to initiate salvations to Christians by turning from the darkness to light and from Satan to God.
In addition, his sermon has been reflected on his emphasizes on the need of turning attention on the word of God as quoted in the bible; “in the beginning was the word and the word was God John 1:1”. Consequently, he outlines that the word of God is the basic aspect of understanding the nature of the world along with Christianity. This has also had the effect on the Augustine argument towards rhetorical theories. For example, through believing that God’s word is fundamental in changing a human being behavior, makes him believe that; an individual does not need to be wise or good to acquire virtues of life. Instead, he should have quality time studying the word of God for transformations. Additionally, Augustine elevated the aspect of truth to be attributed by communication with God through prayers.
Conclusion
Having discussed this, we can outline that, individuals studying rhetorical have enlarged its subject beyond speech texts. As discussed in this paper, we have outlined various factors that may attribute to what a person thinks. For instance, Augustine being a religious person believes that, an individual can find true virtue by abiding in God’s word and prayers. On the other hand, Quintilian passion in education reflects his reasoning on rhetorical to be power, science but not a practice or else virtue. With this regard, the paper has sought to examine Augustine and Quintilian as theorists and as a practitioner of rhetoric.
Work cited
Loeb, James. Quintilian. The lesser declamation II. New York: The Loeb Classical Library, 1911. Print
Oratoria. Quintilian. Trans.H.E. Butler. New York: Harvard University press, 1920. Print
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]