The power of words has not diminished over the centuries. Language remains a powerful weapon in today’s society. In a world obsessed with communication, the art of writing and oration are talents that the ambitious aim to perfect. So the ultimate question becomes: what makes a great orator? Are they born or are they made? These are the questions that Quintilian and Cicero address as they aim to form an image of the ideal speaker.
Quintilian maintains in his Institutes of Oratory that only a good man can perform the moral duties bestowed upon an orator. He believes that “no man will ever be thoroughly accomplished in eloquence who has not gained a deep insight into the impulses of human nature and formed is moral character on the precept of others and on his own reflection”(Quintilian, 12.2). Only good men can become true orators because they incorporate their words into their own lives. In other words, they provide proof of their virtue and authenticity.
“Will not an orator have to speak much of justice, fortitude, abstinence, temperance, and piety? Yet the good man, who has a knowledge of these virtues, not by sound and name only, not as heard merely by the ear to be repeated by the tongue, but who has embraced them in his heart and thinks in conformity with them, will have no difficulty in conceiving proper notions about them and will express sincerely what he thinks”(12.2, 17).
Similar to Quintilian, Cicero, in De Oratore, demands virtuous action from an orator. Virtuous and good men can be orators; however, maintaining virtue and goodness requires dedication and cultivation throughout a lifetime: “…certain persons have noticed what men of eloquence practised of their own accord, and formed rules accordingly; so that eloquence has not sprung from art, but art from eloquence”(Cicero, XXXII). Virtuous men provide proof of their authenticity, allowing audiences to react positively to their words.
Virtue and honor, ever important in Roman society, are issues addressed in the first oration of Cicero and Catiline. Cicero is able to discredit Catiline by citing all of the dishonorable and malicious actions that Catiline has performed. Looking beyond political agendas, Cicero reveals Catiline’s dishonorable nature, labeling him an enemy to the Republic: “You are summoning to destruction and devastation the temple of the immoral gods, the houses of the city, the lives of all the citizens; in short, all Italy”(Cicero, 5). This oration is based on the argument that Catiline’s very character is violent and immoral. By painting such a negative image of Catiline, readers and listeners of this speech grow more confident in Cicero’s own character. Cicero repeatedly references Catiline’s crimes against Rome itself, revealing his concern for the Republic over himself. This creates an image of a virtuous and selfless man, a man who listeners will be more inclined to believe because of his virtuous intentions. Cicero’s orations have remained memorable examples because of their power to influence. Cicero uses human morality as an argument, not only to discredit Catiline, but to emphasize his own credibility.
Martin Luther King Jr.
One of the most memorable orators of recent history was Martin Luther King Jr. Almost everyone in the United States is familiar with his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. During that moment in history, King was able to connect with his audiences in a powerful way, a way that sets him apart from others of that time. In an article reflecting on King’s power as an orator, Scott Eblin identifies several qualities that allowed King to be a great speaker. Among these, he lists authenticity and connection, powerful qualities that allow King’s speeches to remain memorable to this day. Both of these qualities relate to Quintilian and Cicero’s assertions that a good man must cultivate and practice his virtues, as they are integral to his identity as an orator. King was able to connect with his audiences and was able to establish himself as a credible speaker because he had experienced the injustices that he addresses in his speeches. He had been arrested several times but maintained his message of peaceful protesting of racism and discrimination. In this respect, King fits Quintilian description of a model orator as a man who proved “himself a true statesman, not by discussions in retirement, but by personal experience and exertions in public life”(Quintilian, 12.2).
Proof and authenticity in my opinion, have gained importance in the last few years. With the abundance of information that circulates, the truth can be hard to find. People look for trust and authenticity and feel drawn to people who embody these qualities. It is the speakers who connect with their audiences, who can share experiences and speak of them, both clearly and eloquently, that become “great” orators.
This is a strong and well formatted post. I like how it ties together Quintilian and Cicero, then applies their teachings to the cases of Catiline and Martin Luther King. One danger of linking good oratory to good morals, though, is it allows opponents to defeat an argument by showing that the person saying it is not perfect. In King’s case, critics could not rebut his message directly so they tried instead to show that his personal life was flawed and therefore he lacked the credibility to speak out against injustice.