Rhetoric and Literature
DOI 10.55026/QODN5336
Marieta Boteva
“St. Cyril and St. Methodius” University of Veliko Turnovo
Email: m.botevats@uni-vt.bg
Abstract: The article presents the results of a rhetorical analysis of the Roman orator Marcus Tullius Cicero’s first accusatory speech against Catiline. Basic rhetorical terms related to judicial rhetoric are introduced and techniques from the rhetorical heritage are derived. Results on the basic parts of speech, argumentation, types of argument, and rhetorical figures are established. Generalisations and conclusions are given by use of diagrams, visually represented in figures, after the use of rhetorical devices and techniques in the different parts have been established. The analysis also includes a study of the impact of Cicero’s combination of various rhetorical techniques. Features of the orator Marcus Tullius Cicero are outlined and information on his development is presented too. The article is of a methodological and practical-applied character as it presents the author’s model for analysing a speech, in particular an indictment speech, from the oratorical heritage of Ancient Rome.
Keywords: rhetorical analysis, judicial rhetoric, accusatory speech, arguments, rhetorical figures, Cicero, Catiline.
Rhetoric and Communications Journal, issue 60, July 2024