Cicero’s View of the Ideal Orator

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Table of Contents

The Importance of the Traditional Rhetorical Theory
Practice as the Foundation of the Oratory
The Importance of Education
An Orator as a Moral Guide
Works Cited

The Importance of the Traditional Rhetorical Theory

In the dialogue “De Oratore” (“On the Orator”) Cicero describes the main qualities that an orator must possess to master the art of rhetoric. Cicero pays close attention to the physical characteristics and abilities of the orator, rhetorical techniques that must be used, and to the moral principles that should guide the orator, as he is not just an eloquent speaker able to persuade the audience but also a moral guide in the society.

Cicero acknowledges the importance of the traditional rhetorical theory for the formation of the speaker. However, according to Cicero, the ideal orator must, first, have certain inner abilities: the ability to be fluent in speech (linguae solutio), sonorous voice (vocis sonus), strong lungs (latera), a strong constitution (vires), certain proportionality in the form of the face and body (conformatio et figura) (Cicero 81). These innate qualities should help the orator to navigate the environment (diligentia) during his speech, but between natural talent and the ability to navigate (diligentia) a little room is left for the theory (Cicero 305). Cicero ridicules those rhetoricians who teach their students only the theory of rhetoric art.

Practice as the Foundation of the Oratory

The theory is necessary, but according to Cicero, the oratorical practice is placed in the foundation of the theory: “Thus eloquence is not the offspring of the art, but the art of eloquence ” (Cicero 101). This statement is a result of Cicero’s years in a school of rhetoric, where theoretical education was not supported by practice. That is why Cicero’s approach implies teaching future speakers only what their teachers have already learned from the experience. The imprint that the school of rhetoric left upon Cicero shaped his views on traditional requirements for the oration. Cicero does not reject the necessity of introduction, story, etc., they contribute to the overall harmony of the speech, but they do not stem from the life experience (non perite). For example, the theory requires that speech must have an introduction to influence the listeners, to win their support (benevolos facere), inform them about the case (dosere), and to excite their attention (attentos facere). However, experience proves that these requirements should apply not only to the introduction but also to other parts of the speech (Cicero 259).

The Importance of Education

In “De Oratore” Cicero claims that broad education is necessary for the orator and that the person should not be considered a rhetorician as long as he does not know all useful sciences. Cicero gives such definition of the ideal orator:

Accordingly, should anyone wish to define comprehensively the complete and special meaning of the word, he will be an orator, in my opinion, worthy of so dignified a title, who, whatever the topic that crops up to be unfolded in discourse, will speak thereon with knowledge, method, charm, and retentive memory, combining with these qualifications a certain distinction of bearing. (Cicero 47)

An Orator as a Moral Guide

Cicero underlined the importance of studying ethics. According to his views, ethics was especially useful to the speakers so they could comprehend human nature and character. The greatest strength of the orator is to invoke in listeners such deep affections as anger, hatred, sorrow, or gentleness and compassion. The orator is only able to do that as long as he has a deep understanding of human nature. The speech itself should reflect the moral qualities of the speaker so that in his thoughts, his manner of expression, in the way he delivers the speech, in all the aspects he presents himself as an honest man, a moral and well-intentioned person. Not only an orator, but a politician too should possess these qualities, as the art of the oratory is crucial in the realm of politics. A skilled orator and an effective politician both strive to persuade the audience.

To conclude, some of the greatest values of the ideal orator are respect for theoretical knowledge, appreciation of practice, and profound education in various fields.

Works Cited

Cicero, Marcus Tullius. De Oratore. Trans. E. W. Sutton. Vol. 1. London: William Heinemann LTD, 1997. Print.

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Cicero’s View of the Ideal Orator

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