Therefore, the aim of our work is to find out what structure the speech of a medieval courtier looks like, and by what rhetoric principles it is built. We will investigate this question not only from the theoretical point of view, but also on the example of “The Old Arcadia”’s speeches. We will also analyze Arcadian speeches from the angle of its lexical, stylistic, and syntactic value.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. NOTIONS “DEBATING” AND “DISCUSSION”
3. DEBATING AND DISCUSSION IN “THE OLD ARCADIA”
3.1. STRUCTURE OF A SPEECH IN “THE OLD ARCADIA”
3.2 THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF SPEECHES IN “THE OLD ARCADIA”
3.3. THE THEME OF LOVE AND JUSTICE IN THE ARCADIAN DEBATING
4. CONCLUSION
5. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Research Objective and Core Themes
This academic paper aims to analyze the rhetorical significance and structural composition of speeches within Sir Philip Sidney’s "The Old Arcadia." It investigates how characters utilize specific rhetorical principles to craft their arguments and examines how themes like love and justice are debated within the context of the Elizabethan epoch.
- Rhetorical structure of medieval and Renaissance courtier speeches.
- Application of the five canons of rhetoric (inventio, dispositio, elocutio, memoria, actio).
- Lexical, stylistic, and syntactic analysis of Arcadian prose.
- The intersection of personal desire (love) and public order (justice) in discourse.
- The influence of classical rhetorical training on narrative characterization.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Structure of a Speech in “The Old Arcadia”
As stated in the previous chapter in our small research, we are going to explore the way the Sydney’s characters apply some canons of rhetoric to their speeches. A very important canon that we are going to treat in this chapter is disposition or its Latin equivalent dispositio. The way the Arcadian characters elaborate their speeches, the presence of the speech’s structure is worth investigating, because they comprise the canon of disposition.
We have analyzed some speeches of Musidorus, Pyrocles and Basilius and have come to conclusion that the speeches of the Arcadia’s characters usually have the following structure: introduction, the main part, and conclusion. Speech’s introduction usually begins with the address to an interlocutor. The address is quite picturesque and is accompanied by epithets. For example, Musidorous, addressing Pyrocles, says: “my noble friend Pyrocles”, Pyrocles uses the epithet “excellent”, starting his dialogue with Musidorous. Basilius, opening his speech, in which he tries to reveal his ardent feelings to Cleophila, says to her: “O heavenly woman or earthly goddess”. Speech’s introduction is usually extended and complicated and a character gradually approaches to the main purpose of the speech. For example, as Musidorus attempts to dissuade Pyrocle to gain Philoclea’s love, he starts his speech with the description of mind’s virtues, he says: “A mind well trained and long exercised in virtue, my sweet and worthy cousin, doth not easily change any course it once undertakes, but upon well grounded and well weighed causes;”, he goes on using numerous sentences, describing the well trained mind and referring to Pyrocles who allegedly has such intellect. After prolonged tirades about Pyrocles’s mind, he finally comes to the point of his speech – false intentions of Pyrocles of giving up everything for the sake of love for Philoclea.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the significance of rhetorical skills in the work and sets the paper's aim to investigate the structure and principles behind the speeches of Sidney’s characters.
2. NOTIONS “DEBATING” AND “DISCUSSION”: Defines the terminology surrounding debating and rhetoric, referencing historical and dictionary definitions to establish a framework for analysis.
3. DEBATING AND DISCUSSION IN “THE OLD ARCADIA”: Provides an in-depth analysis of how characters apply rhetoric in their speeches, covering structure, style, and thematic content.
3.1. STRUCTURE OF A SPEECH IN “THE OLD ARCADIA”: Examines the organizational composition of character speeches, specifically the introduction, body, and conclusion using the canon of dispositio.
3.2 THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF SPEECHES IN “THE OLD ARCADIA”: Analyzes stylistic features such as metaphors, personification, and complex syntax that contribute to the eloquence and persuasiveness of the characters.
3.3. THE THEME OF LOVE AND JUSTICE IN THE ARCADIAN DEBATING: Explores how characters debate the emotional complexity of love and the legal/moral requirements of justice, particularly through the speeches of Euarchus.
4. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that the speeches are well-structured in accordance with classical rhetorical canons and reflect the linguistic trends of the era.
5. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Lists the sources and reference materials used to support the analysis of the text.
Keywords
Sir Philip Sidney, The Old Arcadia, Rhetoric, Debating, Speeches, Dispositio, Eloquence, Love, Justice, Elizabethan, Literature, Stylistic Devices, Argumentation, Courtly Discourse, Literary Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the rhetorical significance of speeches in Sir Philip Sidney’s "The Old Arcadia," examining how characters construct their arguments based on classical rhetoric.
Which central themes are discussed in the work?
The central thematic focus is on the debate between love and justice, and how these concepts are articulated by the characters through eloquent and complex discourse.
What is the main goal of this research?
The goal is to determine the underlying structure of a medieval courtier's speech and to identify the specific rhetorical principles used by Sidney to enhance his characters' persuasiveness.
What scientific methods are utilized?
The research employs a theoretical review of rhetorical canons (such as those by Quintilian) alongside an empirical analysis of selected speeches within the text using a random sampling method.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body investigates the structure of speeches (dispositio), the stylistic richness (elocutio), and the thematic argumentation concerning love and justice.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include rhetoric, Sir Philip Sidney, The Old Arcadia, dispositio, eloquence, love, justice, and literary analysis.
How does the author define a "debating point"?
The author defines it similarly to an "argument"—an extraneous or specific proposition used by a character to gain an advantage during a debate.
How does Euarchus view the relationship between love and justice?
Euarchus argues that true love must always be virtuous; therefore, he rejects the characters' attempts to use "the force of love" as an excuse for actions he considers unjust or non-virtuous.
What role does personification play in the speeches?
Personification, such as the attributing of human emotions to brooks, is used by characters like Pyrocles to enhance the expressiveness and emotional depth of their persuasive efforts.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Yulia Saltowski (Autor:in), 2007, Debating and speeches in “The Old Arcadia” by Sir Philip Sidney , München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/81969
