Shirley Miranda Brenes
March 4, 2010
On Aristotle, Quintilian, and Cicero
Undoubtedly this week’s readings are vast and cover an array of really interesting elements in rhetoric, and although quite different, they all interrelate.
I was particularly drawn by the allusions to the law in Aristotle’s reading, especially as it relates to the question of “What is worse, planning wrong or doing wrong?” This I have not been able to answer for myself. Another idea that I consider of great importance is the fact that Aristotle mentions that all laws should be written in such detail leaving very few details for the interpretation of the judges. The most recent case addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court on corporate donations to political campaigns perfectly illustrates the consequences of faulty laws. Aristotle also highlights the importance of the three modes of persuasion: credibility, emotions, and proof. Anyone interested in becoming a rhetorician better master those three.
In addition, Quintilian’s readings reminded me of my childhood. Growing up in Costa Rica with a father and mother that wanted to make sure that my siblings and I had a much better life than theirs, I was woken up at 5:00 am to read for an hour, and everyday after I came back from school I had to copy a piece of text from a magazine or newspaper into my notebook. Each word that I misspelled I had to write 25 times. That of course enlightens one to really value the importance reading and writing (not as kid of course). Another reason why Quintilian took me back is because of the emphasis he places on good teachers. I can’t complain; I have had good teachers and great teachers. I have come to learn that good teachers teach content-many would argue that is what they are hire to do- yet education is much deeper than that. The great teachers in my life have taken their time to teach me life transforming lessons. As Quintilian describes, they have been gentle but efficient at correction, offer praise when deserved, and exploit my nature given talents. Quintilian makes me reflect on the kind of teacher I strive to be.
In Cicero, it was principally helpful to have as much background and differences between Greece and Rome as he gives when he is addressing his brother in Book I. I say so because sometimes it is difficult to imagine the life that these authors led during those ancient times. They speak about learning about all arts and being proficient in reading, writing, persuading, etc. How did they do it? Did they have no jobs to go to? No family responsibilities? Someone please enlighten me in that respect. Nonetheless, Cicero did hit home for me too. The social responsibility that Cicero talks about as he relates it to rhetoric and oratory is of great importance to me. I dream of a better society, one in which people’s desire to succeed and move ahead doesn’t have to translate into someone else falling behind, one in which one home owner in the bay area doesn’t sell his house and comes to Modesto to buy two, while a few months later 10 locals loose their home.
Maybe I am too much of a dreamer, but I rather dream and act on my dreams as much as I possibly can than to not dream.