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Constructing the Audience's Ethos: Characterization in Ciceronian Oratory
Wert, Samuel
Wert, Samuel
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Abstract
James May (1988) argues in his book Trials of Character that Cicero’s use of ethos (his presentation of character) is a leading reason for his oratory’s success. While May (1988) discusses at length Cicero’s own ethos along with the ethos of Cicero’s clients and opposition, he seldom discusses how Cicero represents his audiences in speeches. This thesis attempts to partially fill this gap in May’s examination of ethos by examining how Cicero identifies his audience in a selection of speeches. Who does Cicero say his audience members are? Who are they not? How do the roles given to Cicero’s audiences aid the orator’s persuasive aims? This thesis examines such questions in three speeches: the Pro Sexto Roscio, the In Catilinam IV, and the Pro Milone. This thesis shows that Cicero’s literary construction of audience plays an important role in his oratory’s artistry, success, and overall persuasive power.
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Date
2022-08-31
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University of Kansas
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Keywords
Classical literature, Classical studies, Rhetoric, Audience, Character, Characterization, Cicero, Ethos, Oratory